The news of the divorce of Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia surprised everyone. After eight years of marriage, the Crown Prince of Albania, 41, and the Crown Prince, 40, announced their separation on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
According to a post published by Crown Prince Leka II on his official Instagram account, their relationship has been amicably dissolved.
As translated by Google Translate, the statement on Instagram read,
“Through this post, I officially inform you that LTM Prince Leka and Elia Zaharia have agreed to end their marriage. Since the marriage has lost its function, they have seen the way to dissolve it by mutual consent by initiating the necessary legal proceedings.
Leka got engaged to singer and actress Elia Zaharia from Albania in May 2010. On October 8, 2016, they tied the knot in Tirana. Hence they completed nearly eight years of marriage in 2024.
Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia married in 2016
Prince Leka is the head of the House of Zog, the dynasty that formerly ruled Albania. He is the grandson of the late King Zog I, who ruled the Kingdom of Albania between 1928 and 1939. He has experience in various national political positions. On the other hand, Albanian actress Elia, Princess of Albania, has appeared in regional theatre, television and cinema.
Leka's royal file states that he first met Elia in 2008, they got engaged in Paris in 2010, and they married on October 8, 2016, at the former royal palace in Tirana. On October 22, 2002, their daughter Geraldine was born. Geraldine was named after Queen Geraldine, who died 18 years before her granddaughter was born.
The couple exchanged wedding vows in Albania's capital, Tirana, at the presidential palace. It was a star-studded affair. Members of several noble and royal families were among the large number of visitors at the semi-formal ceremony. Among others, the wedding was attended by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Queen Sofia of Spain.
The civil wedding ceremony was performed by Tirana Mayor Erion Velaj.
Crown Prince Leka II announced their separation on Instagram to their fans and followers
After nearly a decade of living together, Crown Prince Leka II's Instagram account posted an official statement on Tuesday announcing the couple's decision to separate.
The post opened with a royal sign above it and was translated into English with,
“Hello friends and loved ones…”
Addressing Princess Geraldine, the couple's three-year-old daughter, she said that the couple will continue to focus on the physical and spiritual well-being of Princess Geraldine to provide her with a happy and safe life. LTM Prince Leka Il also asked his fans and followers to maintain the right to privacy in this situation.
Read the post also,
“Regardless of the commitment to the family institution, LTM Leka believes that the values of mutual respect and understanding will form the foundation of the relationship in its continuity, the motivation of which will be the growth and education of LSM Princess Geraldine!!!”
The statement added that the prince requested privacy, and stated that he would not make any further comments.
Furthermore, what kind of royal title Elijah may retain after the divorce remains unknown. She was given the title of Albanian Crown Princess after their wedding.
