Two years after he lost his crown and was compelled to leave the palace of his forefathers to begin life as a commoner, Nepal's last king Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah has finally ended his silence, saying he was 'betrayed'.

The 62-year-old, who being a younger son had no hope of ascending the snake throne of Nepal and yet by a twist of fate was crowned twice, only to lead to the abolition of monarchy, says he stepped down in 2006 after a pact with the ruling parties.