King Gyanendra - NEPAL - King Gyanendra recalled parliament in April 2006 after weeks of strikes and protests against his direct rule. King Gyanendra: Parliament voted to curtail the monarch's powers Weeks later, parliament voted unanimously to curtail the monarch's political powers, effectively rendering him a ceremonial figure. The king sacked the government in February 2005, assumed absolute power and appointed a mainly pro-monarchist cabinet. He said the former administration, under Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, had failed to stem Maoist violence and to organise elections. The monarch's actions triggered protests at home and criticism from abroad. King Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 soon after then Crown Prince Dipendra gunned down his parents King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and seven other royals. The 29-year-old prince ran amok at a family dinner in a drunken and drug-fuelled rage before killing himself. King Gyanendra was born in 1947. He is married and has two children. His youngest son, Paras, is the heir to the throne.