Albania hosts only its second ever royal wedding - and the first since the end of communism - as King Leka II marries longtime fiancee Elia Zaharia in a lavish ceremony 

  • Albania's King Leka II married longtime fiancee Elia Zaharia in an opulent ceremony in capital Tirana
  • It is the Balkan country's second royal wedding since King Leka's grandfather King Zog was exiled
  • 20 royal families and 100 aristocrats from across the world, including dignitaries from the UK, were present
  • The royal family has no special status or official role today, but its members are invited to state ceremonies 

Albania hosted its second royal wedding ever after King Leka II married longtime fiancee Elia Zaharia in a lavish ceremony on Saturday. 

The pair got engaged in Paris in 2010 but only started planning for the big day a few months ago. 

The wedding had all the pomp and circumstance expected of such an event with around 20 royal families from across the world in attendance including Prince Michael of Kent-the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. 

I do! King Leka II married longtime fiancee Elia Zaharia in a ceremony in Tirana on Saturday. It was the country's second royal wedding

I do! King Leka II married longtime fiancee Elia Zaharia in a ceremony in Tirana on Saturday. It was the country's second royal wedding

The happy couple. King Leka II was born in 1982 and spent the bulk of his childhood in South Africa. He returned to Albania at the age 20 and has held advisory positions at the foreign ministry and presidency

The happy couple. King Leka II was born in 1982 and spent the bulk of his childhood in South Africa. He returned to Albania at the age 20 and has held advisory positions at the foreign ministry and presidency

Actress, Elia, was born in February 1983 to artists George Zaharia and Yllka Mujo. She graduated from the National Art School in Tirana in 2002 and moved to Paris in 2002 to pursue her studies where she met Prince Leka. She graduated from the National Conservatory of Bordeaux in 2005

Actress, Elia, was born in February 1983 to artists George Zaharia and Yllka Mujo. She graduated from the National Art School in Tirana in 2002 and moved to Paris in 2002 to pursue her studies where she met Prince Leka. She graduated from the National Conservatory of Bordeaux in 2005

Princess Léa of Belgium and Queen Sofía of Spain were also present at the opulent ceremony in Albanian capital Tirana. 

Albania's royal family was expelled from the country in 1939 after the country was invaded by Italian fascists. 

After World War II, when the Communists took over the country, King Zog, King Zeka's grandfather, and his family were considered traitors and stripped from power completely and removed from history books.

Sulejman Gjanaj, the head of the Legality Movement, a small right-wing monarchist party, told BIRN that the wedding is going to endorse the status of the Albanian royals and ensure the legacy of King Zog. 

'The fact that over 20 royal families and more than 100 aristocrats from all over the world will participate in this wedding is an indicator of the approval that the Albanian royals have,' Gjanaj said.

'This is the best reply to all those who have falsified the history of our country and have denied the legitimate rights of the royal family,' he added.

The ceremony seemed to be met with indifference from some of Albania's youngsters however some of the older generation said the country was better when the royals ruled-before communism. 

'His grandfather (King Zog) contributed a lot to Albania and undertook reforms to improve the country's economy and even reform social life in the country. We shouldn't forget that King Zog, a Muslim, married a Roman Catholic wife, paving the way for religious tolerance in the country,' said Fatmir Qafa, a 70-year-old pensioner.

'Albanians during his time were much freer than under communism. But it was communism that tried to distort his character,' he added. 

Over 20 royal families and more than 100 aristocrats from all across the world over attended the opulent event in Tirana

Over 20 royal families and more than 100 aristocrats from all across the world over attended the opulent event in Tirana

Prince Leka is the grandson of King Zog I, who ruled the for just ten years from 1928 until 1939. His parents are Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (of King Leka I of Albania) and Australian born Susan Cullen-Ward

Prince Leka is the grandson of King Zog I, who ruled the for just ten years from 1928 until 1939. His parents are Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (of King Leka I of Albania) and Australian born Susan Cullen-Ward

His father was just a few days old when the family was exiled from Albania due to the Italian invasion 

His father was just a few days old when the family was exiled from Albania due to the Italian invasion 

The king went to school at 'St Peter¿s College in Johannesburg and also graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006, where he was declared the best foreign student of the Academy,' according to Royal Central 

The king went to school at 'St Peter’s College in Johannesburg and also graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006, where he was declared the best foreign student of the Academy,' according to Royal Central 

King Leka II spends his time managing his family¿s properties and the Queen Geraldine foundation, which supports poor families, orphans and children in need. He also advises Albania's president Bujar Nishani

King Leka II spends his time managing his family’s properties and the Queen Geraldine foundation, which supports poor families, orphans and children in need. He also advises Albania's president Bujar Nishani

The well educated king speaks Albanian, English, Italian and some Zulu. He and his wife live in Tirana

The well educated king speaks Albanian, English, Italian and some Zulu. He and his wife live in Tirana

The newly weds with Areola Xoxa and her husband Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj smile for a picture after the wedding ceremony 

The newly weds with Areola Xoxa and her husband Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj smile for a picture after the wedding ceremony 

'King Zog was born Ahmet Muhtar Zogolli in the village of Burgajet, near Burrel in northern Albania on October 8, 1895. He later changed his surname to Zogu,' according to Balkan Insight

'King Zog was born Ahmet Muhtar Zogolli in the village of Burgajet, near Burrel in northern Albania on October 8, 1895. He later changed his surname to Zogu,' according to Balkan Insight

Zog became president in 1924 until 1928, after a stint as prime minister, and in 1928 appointed himself king of the Balkan state 

Zog became president in 1924 until 1928, after a stint as prime minister, and in 1928 appointed himself king of the Balkan state 

Dashing couple. Zog remained king until April 1939, then lived in exile until his death in Paris on April 9, 1961. His son King Leka I passed away in 2011, leaving Prince Leka II the sole heir to the Albanian crown

Dashing couple. Zog remained king until April 1939, then lived in exile until his death in Paris on April 9, 1961. His son King Leka I passed away in 2011, leaving Prince Leka II the sole heir to the Albanian crown

The royal family has no special status or official role today, but its members are invited to participate in state ceremonies

The royal family has no special status or official role today, but its members are invited to participate in state ceremonies

   

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