Nepal was a monarchy until unrest forced the King to cede a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary government in 1990. But they don't really know how to do it and corruption is endemic.
A Maoist insurgency began in the 1990's that resulted in widespread fighting in the 2000's. Then a peace deal was brokered where the Maoists ended their insurgency in return for amnesty and becoming a political party. A new constitution is to be written.
In the midst of all that a bizarre turn of events ended the monarchy. The crown prince, son of the popular monarch, was allegedly angry over his parents interference in his love live and marriage prospects. He entered a room during cocktail hour and wiped out most of the royal family, including himself. The King's brother, who was out of town, took the throne. He was not well liked and his son was intensely disliked. Eventually he was run off and Nepal is now a democracy. You can hear all manner of conspiracy theories about what "really" happened.
They have been trying for years to write the new constitution and have been bouncing along through a series of provisional governments the Maoists have been in an out of. At least they aren't shooting at each other - for now.
It's a damn shame. It's a beautiful country with wonderful, friendly people. They desperately need stability to try to grow their economy.
Thanks for the info; I remember the man killing much of the royal family.