Royal ignore

Narayanhitya Palace complex, where King Gyanendra, grandson of Tribhuvan, lives, state-run Nepali language daily Gorkhapatra reported, quoting palace staff.

She has been kept in the small and not-so-well-maintained house guarded by a military battalion since the death of the monarch in 1955, it said, adding the woman could not get 8220;recognition8221; as a member of the royal family as she belongs to a 8220;lower caste8221;.

The old lady has been given the title 8220;Jijyu Mumajyu Ranisaheb8221; or 8220;Grand Mother Queen8221; by the palace, but denied 8220;Shree Panch8221;, that is reserved for the members of the royal family. No one is allowed to go inside the house or see her. 8220;We are not allowed to see her even from a distance,8221; a staffer was quoted as saying.

She sometimes throws a 50 paise coin with the king8217;s picture from her window saying, 8220;Go and sew a dress for yourself,8221; he said.