THE

Princess

2 February 1943 – 1 June 2001

Her Late Royal Highness Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah

Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was the second daughter of His Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

EARLY LIFE

Born on February 2, 1942, at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, she spent her formative years at Loreto Convent in Darjeeling, where she studied alongside her sisters, before returning to Nepal to pursue higher education at Tribhuvan University. As a young girl, the Princess often voiced her wish to become a nurse, influences of which could be seen in her later work.

Family Life

On May 29, 1966, Her Royal Highness married Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah from the royal family of Jumla in far western Nepal. Their union was blessed with three sons: Brigadier General Bikash Bikram Shah, Deebas Bikram Shah, and Ashish Bikram Shah.

WORK AS THE PRINCESS

As an active member of the Royal family, Princess Sharada wholeheartedly supported the causes and charities they endorsed. Her compassion and dedication to social welfare initiatives were evident through her involvement with children’s welfare activities. She was affiliated with organizations such as the Nepalese Red Cross Society, the Disaster Relief Subcommittee, and the Child Welfare Subcommittee. In 1971, she founded the SOS Village-Nepal, serving as its chairperson, and played a pivotal role in the Nepal Children’s Organisation and government-led child welfare programs.

A passionate champion for women’s empowerment, she dedicated herself to initiatives that uplifted women through training and education. Frequently, she volunteered with programs in Nepal’s remote villages, providing skill-building and income-generating training on small-scale enterprises like farming, beekeeping, animal husbandry, weaving, pottery, and woodworking.

Her commitment extended to establishing Triyog Girls High School in Kathmandu, where she served as the founding chairperson.

A Life Cut Too Short

Tragically, Princess Sharada and her husband, Kumar Khadga, were among the ten members of the Nepalese royal family who lost their lives in the devastating Royal massacre.