Former Nepal king Gyanendra Shah and ex Queen Komal Shah have both tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s health ministry said.

The royal couple had given their samples for tests for the coronavirus infection and returned positive results, The Himalayan Times reported.

The former king and queen had recently returned from a trip to India where they had taken a holy bath at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, during the Mahakumbh Mela.

Thousands of people who had taken the holy bath had tested positive for the coronavirus infection in India.

Moreover, hundreds of people had gathered around the airport in Kathmandu to welcome Gyanendra and Komal when they returned home.

It has been learnt that contact tracing of the former royals has begun, the report said.