Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Shah just made a big shift in how he presents himself. In a statement released late Sunday from his Nirmal Niwas residence, Shah dropped the long-standing title “His Majesty the King” and now refers to himself as the “former His Majesty the King.” This comes as Nepal’s Hindu community gears up for Dashain, the country’s biggest festival.
The change breaks a 17-year tradition that started after Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008. Back then, Nepal’s first constituent assembly voted to end the royal rule following the 2006 uprising against the king’s power. For years, Shah’s secretariat kept using the old title in statements, even though the constitution doesn’t recognize it.
Shah’s message urges timely reforms in Nepal’s state system while honoring people’s feelings. With a new apolitical government in place after Gen-Z protests rocked the country on September 8 and 9, he emphasized that leaders must listen to the younger generation’s hopes and dreams.
So why the sudden switch? Rajan Karki, one of Shah’s aides, explained it ties back to a deal with local police. In July, officers questioned Phanindra Pathak, the former king’s communication secretary, about using the unconstitutional title “Shree Panch Maharajadhiraj” and calling the office a “communication secretariat.” Pathak signed a written promise to stop, and Sunday’s statement follows that agreement.
Karki told reporters it’s a sign Shah respects Nepal’s laws. He added that the old title followed an “international tradition” for former monarchs, but now they’re aligning with local rules.
Pathak declined to comment on the new statement when reached.
Many in Nepal wonder if this timing links to the recent political crisis. Protests highlighted frustration with major parties’ leadership since the monarchy’s end, and some groups pushed to restore the king as a path to prosperity. But the unrest didn’t bring back the crown—instead, it led to the new government.
Karki revealed that monarchy restoration talks even surfaced at the president’s office during discussions with political parties to calm the Gen-Z demonstrators. A message went to Shah, but he replied he’d only consider it if all parties publicly called for it.
Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, head of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist), backed this up in an article for the weekly Janaastha newspaper. He said rumors swirled about forcing the president to resign and reinstating the king. “As I understand, there were discussions with former King Gyanendra Shah, but he wasn’t ready to return without agreement from the political parties,” Nepal wrote.
For now, Shah’s title change signals respect for Nepal’s republican era, even as old debates about the monarchy linger amid the push for fresh governance.
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