King revives tradition

December 1, 2001
1 MIN READ
A
A+
A-

December 01, 2001

KATHMANDU: Japanese Ambassador Zenji Kaminaga Friday received a rare honour of being taken  to the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in an open horse drawn carriage and presenting his credentials to King Gyanendra for the first time in nearly more than three decades. King Gyanendra for the first time revived the ceremonial procedure of yesteryears.

Earlier, King Gyanendra received credentials from other accredited envoys after ascending the throne on June 4 this year after they drove to the palace in a motorcade. The new king has also initiated another change by immediately giving an audience to an envoy after receiving credentials, protocol sources said; the United States has such a system. Previously the King used to meet ambassadors exclusively several weeks after formal installation.

New Indian and American ambassadors arriving later this year will have an option to drive to the palace in a carcade or in an open carriage while presenting credentials, protocol sources said.

To recall, King Mahendra used to receive credentials from ambassadors at the Gallery Hall in Basantapur where they drove in a carriage through the city streets.