Modern Nepal is an amalgamation of a number of principalities, which had independent entities in the past. From one of these small kingdoms, Gorkha, Where the kings of the Shah dynasty ruled, King Prithvi Narayan Shah set out to unity Nepal. In 1768, he defeated Malla kings who ruled Kathmandu Valley. Nepal has been ruled by Shah kings ever since. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the eleventh King in the Shah dynasty. King Birendra ascended the throne after his father's death in 1972, but his coronation took place on an auspicious date in February 1975

His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the eldest son of His Late Majesty King Mahendra and the Late Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, was born on Dec 28, 1945, at the Narayanhity Royal Palace, Kathmandu. His Majesty received his early education at St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling and his higher education at Eton College of England, the University of Tokyo and Harvard University of the United States. The auspicious wedding of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was solemnised with Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah in February 1970 with great public jubilation . His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra, was born on June 27, 1971 . Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti, their first daughter, was born on October 15, 1976 and the third child, His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan, was born on November 6, 1978. His Majesty King Birendra ascended the Throne of the Kingdom of Nepal on January 31, 1972, upon the sudden demise of His Majesty King Mahendra. The auspicious coronation of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was solemnised amidst Vedic rites on February 24, 1975. His Majesty holds the firm belief that prosperity and progress in Nepal can only be achieved by rapid economic development . With a view to remove regional disparity and ensuring balanced economic development, His Majesty proclaimed the establishment of five development regions in the country . In keeping with the popular desire of the people, His Majesty King Birendra announced on May 24, 1979, a National Referendum in which the people opted for the Party-less Panchayat System with timely reforms. His Majesty led the Nepalese delegation to the fourth summit conference of Non?aligned Nations held in Algiers in 1973 and in his speech at the conference emphasised Nepal's firm commitment toward the principles of peace, co-existence and of non?alignment. In the fifth summit conference of Non-aligned Nations held in Colombo in 1976, His Majesty, leading the Nepalese delegation, shed light on Nepal's unwavering commitment to unity among the countries of the Third World, mutual co-operation and the New International Economic Order. Again leading the Nepalese delegation in the sixth summit conference of Non?aligned Nations held in 1979 in Havana, His Majesty highlighted Nepal's firm faith in non?alignment as well as views on international issues and the need for solid unity and mutual co-operation among Third World countries for maintaining universal peace and promoting human prosperity.

Once more, His Majesty expressed the need to adhere to the principles of nonalignment and the belief in friendship, goodwill and prosperity for all and the need to seek a world of order and stability, balance and harmony, peace and concord, during the seventh summit conference of the Non-aligned Countries held in New Delhi in 1983. In 1986, His Majesty led the Nepalese delegation to the eighth summit conference held in Harare, once more, with his countrymen's aspiration for peace and prosperity of the whole world. His Majesty's first two state visit after accession, to India in October, 1973 and China in December, 1973, reflected His Majesty's desire and firm willingness to give new impetus to strengthen the close and cordial ties with the two immediate and next door neighbours. His Majesty addressed the UN sponsored conference on Least Developed Countries on behalf of the nine countries of Asia?Pacific and West Asia in 1981 and asked the international community to come forward to help the least developed countries and to support the proposed substantial new Programme of Action for the 1980s.

His Majesty played an active role in establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) at the Dhaka Summit of the Heads of the States and Governments on 7/8 December, 1985. His Majesty, on behalf of the Heads of the States and Governments, presented the SAARC charter for approval before the Summit. The institution of SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu inaugurated by His Majesty the King on January 16 1987, also heralded another example of Nepal's role in the regional co-operation. In response to the popular will of restoring the multiparty democratic system, His Majesty proclaimed the lifting of the ban on political parties on April 8, 1990. The new constitution of Nepal, based on the multiparty democratic system was promulgated on November 9, 1990, which paved the way for the general election, held on May 12, 1991.

Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah
Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was born on November 7, 1949, in Kathmandu. Her Majesty is the eldest daughter of late Lieutenant General Kendra Shumshere J.B. Rana and Rani Rajya Laxmi Rana. Her Majesty received her early education at St. Helen's Convent, Kurseong (India) and St.Mary's School, Jawalakhel, in Kathmandu. Her Majesty the Queen then studied privately at home before joining Kanti Ishwari Rajya Laxmi High School in Kathmandu. Her Majesty continued her higher studies in Padma Kanya College and passed the Intermediate of Arts. Her Majesty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tribhuvan University. The wedding of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was solemnised with Vedic rites in February, 1970, in Kathmandu. Her Majesty has accompanied His Majesty several times on internal tours as well as external visits. Her Majesty the Queen has also been playing a significant role in the advancement of Nepalese women. Her Majesty was awarded the "Save The Children Distinguished Service Award" for her service to the children of Nepal by Save the Children Federation of USA in December, 1983, and Her Majesty was also honoured with a "Medal of Distinction" one of the most outstanding Lioness medals, by Lions International USA on November 23, 1985.