Leka, Crown Prince of Albania
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The Crown Prince of Albania (Leka Zogu, born April 5, 1939), referred to as Leka I, King of the Albanians by Albanian monarchists, is the only son of King Zog I and his consort, Queen Geraldine. He used to be the main pretender to the throne of Albania, and after a long time in exile in Bryanston, South Africa, he is currently living in Tirana, Albania.
King Zog I was forced into exile only two days after the birth of Leka and soon officially replaced on the throne of Albania by Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. The Crown Prince was appointed heir apparent of the Albanian throne on April 5, 1957, while Albania was still under communist rule. At the death of King Zog I in 1961, Leka was proclaimed King of the Albanians by the Albanian National Assembly in Exile, in Paris. He also has the title of Sovereign Grand Master of the Orders of Scanderbeg, Fidelity and Bravery.
A referendum was held in Albania in 1997 concerning a monarchical restoration, but this was rejected by two-thirds of the voters. Zogu refused to recognize the result, and, called the election fraudulent. He later attempted to organise an armed insurrection following his defeat, before he fled back into exile.
He married in 1975, in France, to Australian citizen Susan Cullen-Ward, who was subsequently called by monarchists Queen Susan. She died on July 17, 2004.
The Crown Prince has one son, Leka Anwar Zog Reza Baudouin Msiziwe.
See also
External links
- BBC - Albanian king in arms probe
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