Saturday, 8 October, Albania will host the first royal wedding in its post-communist history: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of Albania will marry Miss Elia Zaharia. In honor of the Royal Family of Albania, we publish this interview offered by Prince Leka to Tudor Petcu, Romanian philosopher, essayist and monarchist, in 2014.
Prince Leka II of Albania is born on 26 March 1982. His grandfather, Zog I (1895-1961), was forced into exile when Fascist Italy invaded Albania in 1939, and monarchy was illegally abolished by the Albanian communist regime in year 1946. His father, King Leka I (1939-2011), born in the Kingdom of Albania two days before the Fascist occupation, was proclaimed King of the Albanians in year 1961, by the Albanian National Assembly-in-Exile, at the Hotel Bristol, Paris. The Albanian Royal Family, hosted in exile by the Egyptian, Spanish and British Royal Families, was allowed to return home in year 2002.
Zog’s remains were returned in a state ceremony on 17 November 2012, coinciding with celebrations for Albania’s independence centennial.
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Interview with His Royal Highness Prince Leka II of Albania, by Tudor Petcu.
1.) I think it’s very important for our readers to start this dialogue by making reference to the history of the Royal Family of Albania, or let’s say to its historical significance. So, can you tell me what meant monarchy for the Albanian society, how should we understand the Albanian Royal Family in its history?
The Albanian Monarchy has been a symbol of National unity, especially for Albanians living in Kosovo and Macedonia.
The Albanian Monarchy maybe the youngest of the European Royalties, but it has remained as a symbol of resistance against 50 years of communist rule. King Zog, was the founder of the modern Albanian state, and is recognized for bringing prosperity and stability to a nation which was always under threat of disappearing in its infancy. For the past five hundred years there hasn’t been a period of Albania’s history in which the Zogolli family hasn’t been a promoter of independence and National salvation.
2.) It’s very well known the fact that monarchy has been very helpful for a lot European countries, especially for those in the Eastern and South-eastern Europe. An example from this point of view would be Romania, a country whose development has been a consequence of the monarchy. Certainly, we can talk in the same way about the Albanian Royal Family, but I would really appreciate if you could present me some main historical achievements of the Albanian Royal Family that contributed to a certain development of Albania.
I would conclude that if there was on major achievement of the Monarchy it would be the Europeanization of Albania. Five hundred years of Ottoman control and culture effected every aspect of Albanian life. The Monarchy was able to modernize and westernize Albania while also maintain the positive aspects of being a bridge between the east and west. Albanians have become a symbol of religious harmony, and through the Monarchy reconnect to the National identity. Whilst it was also a period of development and prosperity.
3.) Even if the monarchy in Albania existed only between 1914-1925, and also between 1928-1939, undoubtedly it’s one of the most important chapters in the history of this country. Like any other Royal Family in the Eastern Europe, the Albanian Royal Family had to endure a lot of sorrows and injustices. Once again I’m thinking about the Royal Family from my country, especially to the King Michael I who has been forced to abdicate and to choose the exile. Of course, after that Romania became communist, a political regime that affected it for more than 45 years. As far as I know, also in Albania the Royal Family had to choose the exile, because there was no other way. So, what actually happened with Albanian Royal Family after the Second World War? Where was exiled the Albanian Royal Family?
In 1939 Albania was the first country in Europe to be invaded by the Fascists. King Zog declared war and tried to resist, but to no revail. He never abdicated. My grandfather and Queen Geraldine, on leaving Albania, went to Greece, Turkey and then Romania, where they where hosted by King Carlo. The Royal family moved to 20 other countries (England, Egypt, Spain, France, Zimbabwe, South Africa, to mention a few), for the next 50 years. The Albanian Royal Court was able to maintain a government in exile until the fall of Communism, which included embassies and representation around the world. Until our final return in 2002 to Albania we where the only family in the world which was allowed to issue and use the Albanian Royal passports, never accepting any other countries citizenship.
4.) I am also very interested in the historical relations that the Albanian Royal Family has had with the Royal Family from Romania. As I mentioned in the previous questions both Royal Families were in exile, of course in different countries. But, can we talk about any relations between these two Royal Families during their exile?
I mentioned before, on leaving Albania, King Zog visited Romania and met with King Carlo. One episode which is mentioned in my grandmothers memoirs was during the meeting with King Carlo, the Fascist emissary arrived at the Peleş castle to demand that Romania arrest King Zog, and Carlo II insured my grandfather the friendship and protection of the Romanian people. Romania has always had a special link and friendship with Albania historically,
An example would be the Albanian independence movement which was created in Bucharest. Not to mentioning our ancient history.
I know that my Grandfather and Father, King Leka, often met and maintained a strong friendship with King Michael of Romania over the years of exile. King Michael is highly respected.
5.) At this moment Albania is a parliamentary democracy but the Royal Family has its one place in this country, because historically speaking, represents a strong symbol for the Albanian society. What is now the main role of the Royal Family in Albania, how do actually Albanians understand the monarchy? Given this question I would also have a personal curiosity: do you think there might be any chance that Albania become again Monarchy?
The Albanian Monarchy is working a balance between the realities of the Republic, whilst also fulfilling its role as a Royal family in modern Albania as well as in Kosovo. We maintain social and humanitarian activities insuring that we are present in the lives of the people providing a product which can be seen. Our institutional activities remain strong, we focus on protecting the National interests of Albanians. After 50 years of communism the public opinion is divided, but recent private opinion polls show that there is a large sympathy base for the return of the Monarchy.
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