King Leka I | |||||
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King Leka of Albania | |||||
Head of the House of Zogu | |||||
Period | 9 April 1961 – 30 November 2011 | ||||
Predecessor | King Zog I | ||||
Successor | Crown Prince Leka II | ||||
Born |
Royal Palace of Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County, Kingdom of Albania |
5 April 1939||||
Died | 30 November 2011 Mother Teresa Hospital, Tirana, Tirana County, Republic of Albania |
(aged 72)||||
Burial | Mausoleum of the Albanian Royal Family, Tirana, Albania | ||||
Spouse | Susan Cullen-Ward (m. 1975; d. 2004) |
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Issue | Crown Prince Leka II of Albania | ||||
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House | Zogu | ||||
Father | King Zog I of Albania | ||||
Mother | Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagyappony | ||||
Religion | Sunni Islam |
Full name | |
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Leka Skënder Zogu |
Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (also known as King Leka I; 5 April 1939 – 30 November 2011), was the only son of King Zog I of the Albanians and his queen consort, born Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagyappony. He was called Crown Prince Skander at birth. Leka was pretender to the Albanian throne and was referred to as King Leka I by Albanian monarchists and some members of the media.
King Zog I of the Albanians was forced into exile only two days after the birth of Crown Prince Leka due to the Italian invasion of Albania. Shortly after, he was replaced on the throne of Albania by Victor Emmanuel III of Italy — an action the King of Italy would later plead personal forgiveness for.
Crown Prince Leka began life in exile in various countries. After travelling across Europe, the Royal Family settled in England, first at the Ritz Hotel in London, then moving for a very short period in 1941 to South Ascot, near Ascot in Berkshire, and then in 1941 to Parmoor House, Parmoor, near Frieth in Buckinghamshire.
After the war, Zog, Queen Geraldine and Leka moved temporarily to Egypt, where they lived at the behest of King Farouk I.