They reiterated that Dipendra had killed his parents and six other relatives before shooting himself. Three other members of the royal family were wounded. The shots rang out while the royal family was gathered for dinner Friday night to discuss Dipendra's wedding. Sources close to the family said the prince wanted to marry the daughter of a former government minister who is a member of the aristocratic Rana family, which ruled Nepal until 1951. His mother, Queen Aiswarya, reportedly rejected the idea and preferred an arranged marriage, which most Nepalese have.
Monarchs here have little formal power in Nepal, but public criticism is taboo.
Under the constitution, the king is immune from prosecution, and Parliament is prohibited from discussing the affairs of the royal family. E-mail this story to a friend.