Himani Shah is the former Crown Princess of Nepal. She was born on October 1, 1976, in Kathmandu. Her father is Raja Bikram Singh of Sikar, Rajasthan, and her mother, Rani Bipula Singh, comes from the royal family of Bajhang in Nepal. Himani belongs to both Indian and Nepali royal traditions and was raised with strong cultural values.
She became part of the Nepali royal family after marrying Crown Prince Paras Shah in 2000. As Crown Princess, she was admired for her calm nature and dignity. Even after the monarchy ended in 2008, Himani continued to stay connected with the people. She is respected not just for her royal background but for her kind and humble personality.
QUICK FACTS
- Full Name: Himani Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah
- Born: October 1, 1976, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Parents: Raja Bikram Singh of Sikar & Rani Bipula Singh of Bajhang
- Spouse: Paras Shah, former Crown Prince of Nepal
- Children: Purnika, Hridayendra, Kritika
- Education: Mahendra Bhawan & Galaxy Public School, Kathmandu
- Organization: Founder & Chairperson, Himani Trust
- Major Recognition: Gusi Peace Prize International (2023)
Early Life & Royal Heritage
Himani Shah was born into a family with strong royal roots in both Nepal and India. Her background links her to important royal lineages from both countries. As a child, she learned about her family’s history and traditions, which helped shape her values and identity.
Later, on January 25, 2000, Himani married Crown Prince Paras Shah of Nepal. Together, they have three children: Princess Purnika, Prince Hridayendra, and Princess Kritika. Through this marriage, Himani became part of Nepal’s royal family and took on important roles and responsibilities as Crown Princess.
From Palace to People: Founding Himani Trust
After the end of the monarchy, Himani chose to redirect her life toward public service. Then, in September 2010, she founded the Himani Trust, a non-political and non-governmental organization focused on national development. Since its establishment, the Trust has worked across multiple sectors, including
- Disaster Response: Earthquake and flood relief, fire assistance, and emergency aid
- Education: Building schools, providing learning materials, scholarships
- Health: Medical camps, maternal health centers, sanitation projects
- Environment & Livelihood: Water access, sustainable farming, reforestation
The Trust operates across over 50 districts in Nepal with more than 1,300 trained volunteers. Himani’s hands-on involvement has made her a visible and trusted figure in even the most remote communities.
Notable Contributions
One of Himani Shah’s biggest contributions was during the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. Her organization, the Himani Trust, gave important help to the people. They provided shelter, food, medicine, and other support to the affected villages. Himani personally visited the damaged areas. She also worked with experts from Japan to promote earthquake-resistant buildings and helped raise funds for the relief work.
The Himani Trust has done many other important projects. It gave flood relief in Bara, Parsa, Siraha, and Surkhet. It supported disabled individuals in Kathmandu. The Trust helped build a school in Palungtar, Gorkha. In 2025, the Trust started building a birthing center in Jumla. It also gave out educational materials to students in Bhaktapur.
Recognition and Respect
To honor her humanitarian work, Himani Shah received the Gusi Peace Prize International in November 2023. The award was given in Manila, Philippines. It is a well-known international prize that celebrates people who work for peace and help others. This award made her more respected, not only in Nepal but also around the world. It showed that she is a true leader in helping society.
Conclusion
Himani Shah’s journey is unique and inspiring. She went from living in royal palaces to helping people in earthquake-damaged villages. While many former royals stepped away from the public, Himani chose to serve the people.
Through the Himani Trust, she has helped thousands across Nepal. Her actions show that true leadership is not about titles; it is about care, hard work, and kindness. Today, she is a strong example of how real royalty comes from serving others. Her story is still going on, showing compassion, strength, and purpose.
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