In a historic declaration, Nepal was converted to a newest republic of modern time. The former king was told to leave the palace within 15 days and he has left the palace within the given time frame. Before he left he delivered a lengthy press statement, in which he told that he has no plans to leave the Himalayan country, amongst a huge crowd of press personals.

The former king Gyanendra Shah Wednesday relinquished the crown and Narayanhiti palace to move to the western outskirts of the capital, to the retreat at Nagarjun forest.

Before leaving the former palace of the Shah kings, he said that the country imagined and established 240-years ago by his ancestors is passing through a serious transitional phase and that he has no plans to leave the country. He also said the crown and sceptre has been handed over to the government for safekeeping.

As per the government’s decision, a total of 75 security personnel—50 Armed Police Force and 25 Nepal Army—will be providing security to Gyanendra.

The former King had been residing at the Narayanhiti palace after he ascended the throne in 2001 following a palace massacre in which a gunman, allegedly the then crown prince, assassinated King Birendra and other royal family members.