Kathmandu, September 12:

Helen Shah, aunt of King Gyanendra, passed away at her residence at Chhauni this morning. She was 75.

She was suffering from peritoneal carcinoma for the past four years.

She was cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat today.

Shah had married Basundhara Shah, brother of the late King Mahendra.

She last hit the headlines when the then Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government released Rs 12 crore for her medical treatment in England.

Hundreds of her relatives, including King Gyanendra, rushed to her residence after news of her death broke out. She is survived by two daughters — Ketaki and Jotsna.

Meanwhile, Prince Paras returned to Nirmal Niwas today after being discharged from the Norvic-Escorts International Hospital in the morning.

A press release issued by the press secretariat of the king quoted doctors as saying that the condition of the prince is improving. It, however, said that the prince will need some time to recover fully.