Leaked Video Shows Alleged Altercation in Albanian Royal Family
A leaked video has surfaced, revealing a physical altercation between Crown Prince Leka II, his wife Princess Elia, and Elia’s father. The incident has shed light on the troubled state of the defunct Albanian throne, known as the House of Zogu. Just two months ago, Leka II and Elia announced the end of their marriage, stating that it had lost its purpose. This controversy has captivated the nation and brought attention to one of Europe’s most intriguing and obscure royal dynasties.
Who Are Crown Prince Leka II and Princess Elia?
Crown Prince Leka II and Princess Elia captured the hearts of the nation when they tied the knot eight years ago. However, their relationship has since taken a tumultuous turn. It is unclear how this once-happy couple ended up in such a dire situation.
The History of Albania’s Royal Family
Albania’s royal family, the House of Zogu, traces its roots back to 1912 when the country declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. Ahmed Muhtar Zogoli, a member of the House of Zogu, played a significant role in Albania’s independence and later became its president. He eventually declared himself King Zog I and ruled with an iron fist, facing numerous assassination attempts and imposing strict censorship.
Zog I married American heiress Geraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, who became Queen of Albania. Their son, Crown Prince Leka I, was the only child of their union. However, the royal family’s reign came to an abrupt end when Italy’s fascists invaded Albania in 1939.
Communist Rule and Exile
After World War Two, Albania fell under the rule of Enver Hoxha’s communist regime, leading to the dissolution of the monarchy. Hoxha despised Zog I and his family to such an extent that possessing a photo of them was considered a punishable offense. Zog and Geraldine spent the rest of their lives in exile, moving between Greece, England, and Egypt.
Coup Attempt and Failed Referendum
Leka, the son of Zog and Geraldine, settled in South Africa and married Susan Cullen-Ward. After the collapse of the Communist state in 1991, the family returned to Albania. Leka attempted to restore the monarchy through a referendum in 1997 but was unsuccessful, with the majority of voters rejecting its return.
The recent leaked video has brought attention to the troubled history of the House of Zogu and the current controversy within Albania’s royal family. As the nation watches, the future of this once-prominent dynasty remains uncertain.
Who is Crown Prince Leka II and his ex-wife Princess Elia?
Albania’s pretender to the throne, Crown Prince Leka Zogu II, is the grandson of self-proclaimed King Zog and his wife Elia Zaharia. Leka II, currently the head of the House of Zogu and a claimant to the defunct Albanian throne, recently stated in an interview that he does not want Albania to become a monarchy again. Leka II, 41, spent a significant portion of his childhood in South Africa, where his parents Leka I and Susan lived in exile. He attended Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the UK and has been actively involved in politics and diplomacy throughout his life, serving as an advisor within various Albanian government departments.
Leka II met actress and singer Elia Zaharia, 41, in 2008, and the couple got engaged in Paris in 2010. Elia comes from a family of performers, with her mother being a glamorous actress and her brother an actor and film director. In 2016, Leka II and Elia had a lavish wedding ceremony in Tirana, attended by over 20 royal families from around the world, including Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of King Charles III. They settled in Albania’s capital, Tirana, and welcomed their first child, Princess Geraldine, in 2020, named after Leka’s late grandmother. However, in January of this year, the couple announced their separation on Instagram, stating that their relationship had lost its function but emphasizing that their daughter would remain their priority.
Recently, an alleged brawl involving Leka II and Elia’s father, Gjergj Polikron Zaharia, 73, came to light. Leka II sought police intervention following the incident, which occurred on March 5. Elia, in a statement, clarified that the conflict had nothing to do with her, except for her attempt to intervene and stop it. She mentioned that she is pursuing legal action regarding the matter. In light of these events, Elia has made her Instagram account private, where she has amassed a following of 77,000.
Princess Elia Zaharia of Albania, Prince Leka of Albania, and Crown Prince Nicolas of Montenegro were present at the 80th Birthday celebration of King Simeon of Bulgaria on June 15, 2017 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Representatives for the Albanian royal family have claimed that Leka was physically assaulted by his ex-wife and ex-father-in-law using strong objects. The incident was captured on video and when it was leaked online, a spokesperson for the palace accused the police of being responsible for the leak. In a statement, the Royal Court expressed disappointment with the law enforcement institutions, suspecting them of violating the right to anonymity by sharing third-party videos. The Royal Court is now seeking the assistance of the police and relevant institutions in removing these images from social media and other platforms.
