Nepal: The Royal Tragedy 2001 Nepal's Royal Family was shot dead

Late King Birendra (May 2001)

Nepal's crown prince opened fire in the royal palace of this small Himalayan nation, killing the king, queen, and six other members of The Former Royal Family and then killed himself. Crown Prince Dipendra, 29, shot all immediate members of The Former Royal Family late Friday night, including King Birendra, 55, Queen Aiswarya, 51. Among those killed was Princess Shruti, 24, the crown prince's sister who had two daughters

The youngest immediate royal family member, also among the dead, was the crown prince's 22-year-old brother, Prince Nirajan, Princess Sharada Shah and Princess Shanti Singh (both sisters of the king) Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, Princess Sharada's husband; and Princess Jayanti Shah, a cousin to the late king. Some early reports said the crown prince had survived and was in critical condition.

The bodies were taken to an army hospital. Three persons were injured: Gorakh Bikram, Princess Shruti's husband; Komal Shah (the king's cousin) and Prince Dhirendra (the king's youngest brother). Prince Gyanendra survived the shoot-out as he was away at Chitwan. Queen Mother Ratna and Princess Helen (aunt of the King) survived the shoot-out as they were not in the dining room where the shoot-out occurred. They remained at the military hospital. The incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. Friday.

People shocked
Katmandu, the capital of 1.5 million, woke up Saturday to the news of the slayings. Thousands of people began walking toward the royal palace in the heart of the city. Armed police in riot gear moved in around the perimeters of the iron walls that surround the modern, concrete Narayanhiti palace to push back the crowds. The main street leading to the palace was closed as people in the capital began gathering at every corner to share the news. The state-run Radio Nepal stopped its regular programs to broadcast religious songs. There has been no official announcement over the radio about the incident.

Nepal's constitutional monarch since 1990
King Birendra became the constitutional monarch after he was stripped of power in 1990 through a popular people's movement. He remained a figurehead much like the queen of England, appearing in ceremonies and addressing the Parliament once a year. The Former Royal Family is revered in Nepal. Some believe that the king is the reincarnation of the Hindu god, Vishnu. The royal couple were married in February 1970. Their first child, Dipendra, was born on June 27, 1971. King Birendra was crowned tothe throne on Jan 31, 1972.

Dispute over the marriage
The military official said the shooting was caused by a dispute over the marriage of the prince because his mother, the queen, reportedly objectedto his choice of bride. The Former Royal Family had gathered Friday night for dinner to discuss the wedding of Prince Dipendra. The prince wished to marry the daughter of a former minister who is amember of the aristocratic Rana family, which ruled Nepal until 1951

News blackout
A virtual news blackout in Nepal was put into effect, with no official statements made by the government or state media. Telephone lines to the Himalayan state were jammed. The State Council, which includes the prime minister and the commander in chief of the armed forces and oversees royal affairs, began meeting in an emergency session Saturday and was expected to name the successor to the throne. Once they have named the new king, widely expected to be the slain king's brother, Prince Gyanendra, then more details were expected to emerge about the tragedy.

Worst mass murder of royals
The slaughter at Narayanhiti Royal Palace is believed to have been the worst mass murder of royals since the Romanovs were slain on the order of Vladimir Lenin in 1918 during the Russian civil war. The military official said the shooting was caused by a dispute over the marriage of the prince because his mother, the queen, reportedly objected to his choice of bride. The royal family had gathered Friday night for a large meeting to discuss the wedding of Prince Dipendra. Sources close to the family said that the prince wished to marry the daughter of a former government minister who is a member of the aristocratic Rana family, which ruled Nepal until 1951. The crown prince, educated at Britain's Eton College, was heir to the throne.

Prince Gyanendra to succeed King Birendra
Prince Gyanendra, who is next in line to the throne, was expected to succeed King Birendra. The government will only then make a formal announcement, after the king's brother takes the throne, according to royal protocol. Prince Gyanendra, a conservationist, arrived in the capital by car on Saturday afternoon from the jungle area of Chitwan.