A peek inside the palace of Nepal's last monarchy

His Highness Maharajah Sir Prithui Duisiaj (1880 - 1911), Sovereign of Nepal. The rule of the Maharajahs, with their Shah puppet kings, was exemplified in the endless building of Italiante palaces in the Kathmandu valley Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In contrast King Mahendra commissioned American architect Benjamin Polk to create a statement piece that made a clear and visual break with country's previous rulers Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II with King Mahendra, known for his stylish presence, in Kathmandu, 1961 Photograph: Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty Images

The Queen and Prince Philip attend a tiger shoot arranged for them by King Mahendra, who stands with sunglasses and cigarette, in a jungle near Kathmandu in 1961 Photograph: Daily Sketch / Rex Features

Crown Prince Birendra is visited by his younger brother, Prince Dhirendra, on St Andrew's Day at Eton College in 1960 Photograph: Lee/Getty Images

The Nepalese Royal family; Prince Dipendra, King Birendra, Prince Nirajan, Queen Aishwarya and Princess Shruti. On 1 June 2001 after a dinner party held at the palace, Prince Dipendra shot his parents, brother, sister and several other members of his family before turning the gun on himself. In total 10 people died and five were wounded Photograph: Kapoor Baldev/Sygma/Corbis

Mourners read accounts of the killing of members of the royal family of Nepal while waiting to sign a condolence book at the palace Photograph: John Mcconnico/AP

Hundreds of Nepalese attempt to storm the royal palace on the day that Gyanendra was crowned King. His succession was not popular and conspiracy theories claiming that he was involved in the massacre are common Photograph: REUTERS

People celebrate outside the royal palace a day after the constituent assembly abolished the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic Photograph: Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images

Nepalese school children queue to enter the Narayanhiti Palace Museum Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/epa/Corbis

Curious visitors get a glimpse at how the Shah royal family once lived Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/epa/Corbis

A Nepalese woman visits the site of the royal massacre Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/EPA/Corbis

A view of the royal throne and a huge chandelier Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/epa/Corbis