KATHMANDU , Nepal ( CNN ) -- Nepal 's former king said Wednesday he is not going to leave his country even though the monarchy has been abolished . Gyanendra came to power in 2001 following the assassination of King Birendra and his family . Ex-King Gyanendra , 60 , made remarks to reporters before departing the Narayanhiti royal palace in Kathmandu . He will live as a civilian in the former Himalayan kingdom that was made a republic last month , and he will reside in a summer palace on a forested hilltop outside the capital . A few hundred journalists crammed into the opulent palace 's lobby entrance to hear Gyanendra 's remarks . It was a chaotic and undeferential scene replete with pushing , shoving and scuffling -- even while the former monarch was speaking . While the former king spoke , reporters looked around at the lavish furnishings , including a huge crystal chandelier , stuffed tigers , stuffed rhino heads mounted on the walls and paintings of previous monarchs . Gyanendra , who expressed his `` love '' for `` independent Nepal , '' said all of his property will remain in the country and that he has no property outside the nation . `` I have no intention or thoughts to leave the country , '' he said . `` I will stay in the country to help establish peace . '' The monarchy 's end after 239 years of rule was the culmination of a two-year peace process in which Maoist insurgents in Nepal gave up their armed struggle , joined mainstream politics and won the most seats in April 's election for the Constituent Assembly . The assembly is tasked with rewriting the constitution , deciding the country 's future political system and governing the nation . Gyanendra , who noted that the country is going through a `` serious '' stage now , said he accepts the new reality of a republic and reflected on the actions of the monarchy . `` I have done all I can to cooperate with ( the government 's ) directives , '' he said , and added that `` the monarchy in Nepal has always been with the people of Nepal in good times and bad times . '' Gyanendra came to power in 2001 when his brother , King Birendra , and his family were massacred in the palace by the crown prince , who later shot himself . Gyanendra on Wednesday denied rumors that he had played a role in that event . The ex-monarch also discussed events of 2005 , when he he took over the civilian government to take on the Maoist insurgency , an unpopular move that sparked protests . He said he hopes people `` understand '' he did n't intend to infringe on any of the rights of the people . He left the palace by a side entrance with pro-royalists and pro-republicans gathered outside to see his departure . His car had to stop momentarily as journalists took pictures of him . Gyanendra 's royal scepter and a crown of peacock feathers , yak hair and jewels remain in the palace and have been handed over to the government . -- From CNN 's Dan Rivers and Manesh Shrestha .
Former king will live as a civilian in a summer palace outside capital . Gyanendra : Will stay in the palace to help maintain peace . Left palace by side entrance while officials gathered outside to see his departure . Assembly tasked with drafting the constitution , and future political system .