Скачать или смотреть Supporters greet Nepal's former king Gyanendra Shah at Kathmandu airport

(13 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kathmandu, Nepal - 13 February 2026
1. Vehicles with ex-king Gyanendra Shah escorted by security forces exit the Kathmandu airport
2. Gyanendra greeting supporters from the car
3. Thousands of supporters cheering the ex-king
4. Police in riot gear blocking supporters from entering the airport premises
5. Supporters chanting “We love our king. Our king and nation is more precious than our lives.”
6. Police officers in riot gear guard the entrance to the airport
7. Supporters scuffle with the police
8. Supporter blowing a conch shell at the rally
9. Various of the rally
STORYLINE:
Thousands of supporters of Nepal's former king gathered outside Kathmandu airport Friday to greet him and demand the restoration of the abolished monarchy in the Himalayan nation.

Gyanendra Shah waved to the cheering crowd from the sunroof of his car as hundreds of police officers in riot gear struggled to control the supporters crowding the main entrance at Tribhuvan International Airport.

“Bring back the king. We love our king more than our own selves. Restore constitutional monarchy,” the crowd chanted.

More supporters lined the route from the airport to the former king's private residence. The crowds were peaceful and no arrests were made.

The former king was returning from a trip to eastern Nepal.

Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, and two years later the parliament voted to abolish the monarchy as Gyanendra left the Royal Palace to live the life of a commoner.

An estimated 10,000 supporters turned out for a similar rally last year at the airport. Another pro-royal rally last year had turned violent leaving two dead and many injured.

Gyanendra has not commented on the calls for the return of monarchy. Despite growing support for the former king, Gyanendra has slim chances of immediately returning to power as the support is not as significant as that for other political parties opposing the idea.

The show of support for the monarchy comes ahead of crucial parliament elections next month. Pro-Gyanendra groups, which won about 5% of seats in the last election, are hoping to win seats.

AP video shot by: Upendra man singh

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