Nepal's royal proclamation

The royal palace where the shootings took place

Nepalnews.com's web site reported the proclamation by the Nepalese privy council, or Raj Parishad, making Crown Prince Dipendra the new monarch.

The chairman of Nepal's Royal Privy Council, Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, announced the deaths and the succession to the country on television and radio 17 hours after the massacre at the royal palace.

Its web site says: In a half-choking voice, Rayamajhi read from a prepared text and said: "We announce death of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on the 19 of Jestha 2058 (1 June 2001) at 2115 (local time) in the evening.

"According to the 2046 (1990) Constitution of Nepal and the laws of succession and according to the grand traditions we declare that his majesty's eldest son, Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, will be the king of Nepal as of the evening of 19 Jestha 2058."

It continued: "But since His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is physically not able to take care of the affairs of state and since both Queen Aishwarya and Prince Nirajan have also died, the Raj Parishad [privy council] has decided that Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev shall be appointed regent."