Hundreds of Gurkha war veterans and their families swarmed Katmandu airport Sunday to welcome British actress Joanna Lumley, who helped secure their right to settle in the United Kingdom.

Lumley, 63, was mobbed as she arrived in this Himalayan nation, home to the storied Nepalese soldiers who have fought for the British army for nearly 200 years.

"My friends of Nepal, I am your family coming to Nepal for the first time. I want to thank you so much. I want to say in the time-honored cry, 'Ayo Gurkhali!'" Lumley told the crowd from the top of an SUV, reciting the soldiers' traditional battle cry.

In May, the British government gave the thousands of Gurkhas the automatic right to settle in Britain. Lumley — who played Patsy, a chain-smoking magazine editor who slept her way to the top in the TV comedy series "Absolutely Fabulous" — brought her fame to bear on the issue and became the face of their campaign. She said she was drawn to the cause because her father fought alongside Gurkha soldiers in World War II.

Since 2004, Britain has allowed only those Gurkhas who retired after July 1, 1997, to settle there. It argued that those who retired before 1997 — when the Gurkha base was in Hong Kong — had weak links with Britain and that allowing in tens of thousands of veterans and their families would cost taxpayers billions.

The crowd in Katmandu, who waited for hours to see her, offered her flowers and silk scarves. A few signs read "Ayo goddess Joanna," or "Here comes goddess Joanna."

The Gurkhas have served Britain with distinction since 1815, but they have always been paid much less than their British colleagues.
Joanna Lumley Gallery

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