Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Kathmandu, July 8:

King Gyanendra graced the reception organised as per the command of the Queen on the occasion of his 59th birthday at the Narayanhity Royal Palace this afternoon. The Queen, Queen Mother Ratna and other members of the royal family also attended the reception.

King Gyanendra, Queen Komal and the Queen Mother granted collective audience to the chiefs and office-bearers of various Kathmandu-based foreign diplomatic missions. Chief Justice Hari Prasad Sharma, Speaker and Chairman of the King’s 59th Auspicious Birthday Main Celebration Committee, Taranath Ranabhat, and Chairman of the Rajpar-ishad Standing Committee, Parashu Narayan Chaudhari, Vice Chairmen of the Council of Ministers, ministers, former prime ministers, lawmakers, chiefs of Constitutional bodies and leaders of political parties were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, the King, in a condolence message sent to Queen Elizabeth II, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives caused by the senseless bombings in London on Thursday. Condemning the dastardly act of terrorists, the King has expressed hope that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice at the earliest.