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. Vishnu found Gyanendra s explanation preposterous. There is no such thing as a freak accident like this. Accidents can claim one life, but not spray bullets over eight people. Many Nepalese said they cannot accept Dipendra as king because they believe he killed his revered, soft-spoken father but now that Dipendra is king, it would be difficult for Nepalese officials to publicly accuse him of anything.
Monarchs here have little formal power, but public criticism is taboo.
On Sunday, an old photograph of Dipendra in royal attire ran on page one of the government newspaper, The Rising Nepal. Government officials could not be reached for comment Sunday a five-day period of mourning had been declared, and any statements were to be issued through the official news agency. Prime Minister Girija Prasada Koirala said late Saturday that the government would investigate the killings, but he may have been seeking to preserve calm, since only the king can order investigations into matters involving the royal family. During a royal funeral procession at sunset Saturday, hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets. They wailed, clasped their hands in respect and offered flowers as the bodies were taken for cremation according to Hindu rites.