'Bring Back The King' Chant Is Echoing In Nepal. Can The Monarchy Make A Political Comeback?

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 14:39 IST

Nepal was ruled for centuries by the Shah dynasty, culminating in the reign of former king Gyanendra. However, the monarchy ended after decades of political instability in Nepal

Thursday, March 5, is a red-letter day for Nepal. As the Himalayan country votes in a high-stakes general election, a surprising theme has resurfaced in the politics of the country—calls for restoring the monarchy nearly two decades after the royal institution was abolished.

From Kingdom to Republic

Nepal was ruled for centuries by the Shah dynasty, culminating in the reign of former king Gyanendra of Nepal. However, the monarchy came to an end after decades of political instability in the country.

In 1990, Nepal transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy after mass protests. However, from 1996-2006, a Maoist insurgency destabilised the country. In 2005, King Gyanendra dissolved Parliament and took direct control, which led to protests across the country. Three years later, a newly elected Constituent Assembly abolished the monarchy and declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic.

Since then, the former royal palace in Kathmandu has been converted into a museum, symbolising the end of royal rule.

Why Is The Monarchy Back In News?

However, the feelings towards the monarchy were never completely eradicated, and there are a number of factors that have, in recent times, added to the debate on the issue.

Instability in the political environment: The political environment in Nepal has been unstable, and there have been dozens of governments in the country since 1990, with many falling before completing a term in office. This has led to a situation where people are turning to the monarchy as a solution.

Increased levels of frustration among the population: The protests that have been witnessed in the country in recent times, such as the Gen Z protests in 2025, where the youth protested against corruption and the government, are a clear indicator that there is a growing level of frustration among the population.

Pro-monarchy protests: Thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Kathmandu, demanding that the king be brought back and that the country should revert to a Hindu kingdom, rather than a secular republic that it is today, and that the protesters chanted slogans such as “Bring back the king" and welcomed the former monarch when he appeared in public.

Do They Have Political Backing?

The major political force that has been promoting a royal comeback is the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). The party’s agenda includes restoring a constitutional monarchy, making Nepal a Hindu state again, and undoing federalism and governance reforms. The party has tried to consolidate votes for a monarchist comeback before elections.

Can The Monarchy Return Through Elections?

However, a return of the monarchy does not seem possible in the short term because of the following reasons:

Constitutional Barriers: The Constitution of Nepal states that it is a federal democratic republic. Therefore, it would require a major change in the Constitution to again become a monarchy.

Limited Electoral Support: The RPP and other pro-monarchy parties are still not major players compared to other major parties such as the Nepali Congress and communist parties.

Lack of Political Candidacy by Former King Gyanendra: Former King Gyanendra is not a candidate himself.

However, they can still exert their influence on Nepalese politics if:

Pro-monarchy parties get more seats

Dissatisfaction with politicians persists

Demand for a referendum on monarchy gains momentum

Why the 2026 Election Matters

This election is taking place after months of unrest and youth-led protests that led to the ouster of the previous government.

This election will determine if traditional political parties continue to be in charge, if the opposition changes the political landscape, and if monarchists are able to make enough inroads so that the monarchy debate enters mainstream politics.

News explainers 'Bring Back The King' Chant Is Echoing In Nepal. Can The Monarchy Make A Political Comeback?

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