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We are all in a state of shock. I was in London and I flew down immediately because I wanted to be present for the last rites of my king but as soon as I landed I found out that it was all over.
The royal couple have been our national symbol.
The king was looked upon as a father figure and respected as a god, specially by my family. We looked up to him with deep respect and were extremely fond of him.
He was full of compassion. After my grandfather, the king was one person whom I had great respect and affection for.
It's a great loss for the entire nation. It's not as simple a story as is being portrayed. We want a thorough investigation, the truth to come out and the guilty to be punished.
Right now, the nation is mourning the loss of a father figure.
I had met the son (Dipendra) on a couple of occasions and never thought that he could do something like that. To say that he had done this because the family wouldn't allow his marriage does not sound convincing.
One would assume that he would leave the throne and marry. It has been done before by the late King's brother Dhirendra, who had given up his claim on the title because he wanted to marry outside the choice of the palace.
The same was open to the crown prince.
It's a huge amount of blame to be put on one person and I request the media not to assume things and wait for the outcome of the investigation (into the killing).
I met the King and Queen quite often. They treated me as a daughter of Nepal and cared for my well-being. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.
When they visited Bombay, they used to invite me and insist I sit next to them. They were very affectionate and would often ask about how it was in the film industry.
They'd told me their daughter Princess Shruti was interested in painting. All of them were artistically inclined. I've always valued their affection.
I've cried all night and haven't slept. It's a total shock to us.
It's so unbelievable. I don't know what is happening to my country. I feel totally drained.
As told to Lata Khubchandani
Death of a Monarch: The Complete Coverage
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