  We derive a F\"{o}ppl-von K\'{a}rm\'{a}n-type constitutive model for solid
liquid crystalline plates where the nematic director may or may not rotate
freely relative to the elastic network. To obtain the reduced two-dimensional
model, we rely on the deformation decomposition of a nematic solid into an
elastic deformation and a natural shape change. The full solution to the
resulting equilibrium equations consists of both the deformation displacement
and stress fields. The model equations are applicable to a wide range of thin
nematic bodies subject to optothermal stimuli and mechanical loads. For
illustration, we consider certain reversible natural shape changes in simple
systems which are stress free, and their counterparts, where the natural
deformations are blocked and internal stresses appear. More general problems
can be addressed within the same framework.
