Leka, Crown Prince of Albania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leka |
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| Crown Prince of Albania | |||||
| Head of the House of Zogu | |||||
| Period | 9 April 1961 – 30 November 2011 | ||||
| Predecessor | King Zog I | ||||
| Successor | Leka, Prince of Albania | ||||
| Born | 5 April 1939 Royal Palace of Tirana, Tirana, Kingdom of Albania |
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| Died | 30 November 2011 (aged 72) Mother Teresa Hospital, Tirana, Albania |
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| Burial | Mausoleum of the Albanian Royal Family | ||||
| Spouse |
Susan Cullen-Ward
(m. 1975; died 2004) |
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| Issue | Leka, Prince of Albania | ||||
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| House | Zogu | ||||
| Father | Zog I of Albania | ||||
| Mother | Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagyappony | ||||
| Signature | .svg) |
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Leka, Crown Prince of Albania, was the only son of King Zog I and Queen Geraldine of Albania. He was born on April 5, 1939, and passed away on November 30, 2011. At birth, he was named Crown Prince Skander. Many people called him King Leka I because he was the person who would have become king if Albania still had a monarchy.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Leka was born on April 5, 1939, at the Royal Palace of Tirana in the Kingdom of Albania. His birth was a big event, celebrated with a 101-gun salute and a military parade.
Just two days after Leka was born, his father, King Zog I, had to leave Albania. This happened because Benito Mussolini's army invaded the country. The King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, took over the throne of Albania.
Crown Prince Leka spent most of his life living outside Albania. The Albanian Royal Family first settled in England. They lived in London, then in South Ascot, and later in Parmoor, Buckinghamshire.
After World War II, Leka and his parents moved to Egypt. They lived there at the invitation of King Farouk I.
Leka went to school in Egypt and Switzerland. He studied economics at universities in Geneva and Paris. He also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, which is a famous military school. After his studies, he became a Second Lieutenant in the British Army. He also became successful in business.
When his father, King Zog, passed away in 1961, Leka was declared the King of the Albanians. This happened at a meeting of Albanians living in exile in Paris.
Marriage and Life in Exile
In 1975, Leka married Susan Cullen-Ward, a teacher from Australia. They had a civil wedding ceremony in Biarritz, France. Their wedding reception was attended by members of other royal families and loyal Albanians.
Later, they had a religious wedding in Madrid, Spain. This ceremony was special because it included leaders from different religions: a Muslim leader, a Protestant pastor (because Susan was Episcopalian), and a Roman Catholic priest (because Queen Geraldine was Catholic).
Leka and Susan were friends with the Spanish King Juan Carlos I. However, the Spanish Government asked Leka to leave Spain. This was because he had some bodyguards from Thailand and a collection of arms at his home.
When Leka's plane stopped in Gabon for fuel, local troops surrounded it. These soldiers were reportedly hired to capture him by the Albanian government. The soldiers backed down when Leka appeared at the plane's door.
The couple then moved to Rhodesia. After Robert Mugabe came to power there, they settled in Johannesburg, South Africa. The South African Government gave them special diplomatic status.
Leka lived in Bryanston, South Africa, for many years. His son, Prince Leka, was born there. Leka finally returned to Albania in 2002.
Return to Albania and Political Activity
In 1993, Leka was allowed to visit Albania for the first time since he was a baby. He used a special passport issued by his own Royal Court-in-exile. On this passport, he listed his job as "King."
In 1997, during a time of unrest in Albania, Leka returned again. About 2,000 supporters greeted him. Many people who supported the monarchy believed that bringing back the king would help Albania become more stable. They hoped it would protect democracy after many years of communist rule.
On June 29, 1997, Albania held a vote (a referendum) to decide if the monarchy should be restored. Before the final results, government officials announced that the idea was rejected. Leka said the vote was not fair and had been manipulated.
Leka and about 900 supporters protested outside the main elections building. Some of them were armed. They sang pro-monarchy songs and waved flags. This led to a shootout between the protesters and the police. One royalist protester, Agim Gjoonpalaj, was killed, and others were injured.
Two days later, a funeral was held for Gjoonpalaj. Leka attended the funeral. The procession went through Skanderbeg Square, where the violence had happened. Royalists at the funeral shouted "Down with Communism!"
After a recount, the government again announced that about two-thirds of the voters had rejected bringing back the monarchy.
Leka left Albania on July 12. He was later sentenced to three years in prison by the Albanian government for trying to cause trouble, but he was not there for the trial. This conviction was later canceled in March 2002. At that time, 72 members of Parliament asked the royal family to return.
In June 2002, Leka returned to Albania. He brought some weapons with him, which the authorities quickly took. Six years later, these weapons were returned to the royal family because they were seen as important cultural items. After settling in Albania in 2002, Leka lived a quiet life with his wife and son. His wife passed away in July 2004.
Later Political Role and Passing
Leka was supported by the Party of Right and Legality (PLL), a monarchist party in Albania. He also led the Movement for National Development. He believed that bringing back the monarchy would help create a "Greater Albania," uniting all ethnic Albanians.
However, in February 2006, Leka announced that he would step back from political and public life.
Leka passed away on November 30, 2011, from a heart attack in Mother Teresa Hospital in Tirana. Albanian authorities held official ceremonies for him. December 3, the day of his funeral, was declared a day of national mourning.
Tirana's mayor, Lulzim Basha, spoke at the funeral. He said they were there to honor Leka Zogu's work with gratitude and national pride. Religious leaders from Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox faiths offered prayers.
Leka's son, Leka, Prince of Albania, made a promise at the funeral. He said he would follow the path of his father and grandfather to serve the nation.
Leka was first buried next to his wife and mother in a public cemetery. Later, he was reburied in the royal mausoleum.
Personal Life
Leka was a Muslim and encouraged unity among Islamic people. He could speak about six different languages, including Arabic and English.
Leka was very tall, standing at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm). His wife, Susan Cullen-Ward, was much shorter at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm).
In the 1960s, Leka became friends with Ronald Reagan, who later became the President of the United States. Leka once gave Reagan a baby elephant named "Gertie." Reagan's wife, Nancy, thought the name was not fancy enough and renamed the elephant "GOP".
Dynastic Honours
House of Zogu: Sovereign Knight with Collar of the Royal Order of Albania- House of Zogu: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Fidelity, Special Class
- House of Zogu: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Skanderbeg, Grand Star
- House of Zogu: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Bravery
Italian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cordon of the Royal Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
Russian Imperial Family: Knight Grand Cordon of the Imperial Order of Saint Vladimir
Georgian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Order of the Eagle of Georgia
See also
In Spanish: Leka de Albania para niños
