Crown Prince Leka of Albania Makes First Appearance Since Royal Divorce Announcement

Mar. 15, 2025

Crown Prince Leka of Albania arrives at the Basilica Palacio de Mafra in October 2023 for the wedding of Princess Maria Francisca de Braganza and Duarte de Sousa Araujo Martins.Photo:Albert Nieboer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Albert Nieboer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Crown Prince Lekaof Albania stepped out for the first time sincehis splitfrom Crown Princess Elia made headlines.

On Tuesday, the 41-year-old royal paid a visit to the Queen Geraldine statue in Tirana, Albania, with Péter Sztáray, the Minister of State for Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, for a symbolic wreath-laying. The outing came the day after it was announced that the Crown Prince and his wifewere divorcingafter 8 years of marriage.

The prince seemed to be in good spirits inphotos from the evening event shared on his official Instagram page. The caption explained that the ceremony was held to honor “Queen Geraldine’s Hungarian heritage,” as Leka’s grandmother was born in Budapest.

On Monday, Leka and Elia used separate statements to announce that they were divorcing. Leka is the head of the Albanian royal family and married Elia Zharaia, an actress and singer, in 2016.

“Regardless of the commitment to the institution of the family, LTM Leka believes that the values ​​of mutual respect and understanding will form the basis of the relationship in its continuity, which will have as its motive the growth and education of LSM Princess Geraldine!!!” the statement said. It added that Geraldine’s spiritual and physical well-being “will remain at the center of their dedicated attention to ensure a happy and safe life.”

The statement said that Crown Prince Leka would not be offering further comment and asked for privacy during this time.

Crown Princess Elia of Albania and Crown Prince Leka at the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini at Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg in October 2021.OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty

OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty

Hello!magazinereported that Elia, 40, also commented on the divorce news in a separate statement which has since been deleted from social media.

“Friends and well-wishers, I need to inform you that today we started the legal procedures for the settlement of marriage, as we jointly decided to seek a divorce,” Elia reportedly said.

“Despite these difficult months I’ve gone through, your kindness has given me strength. I wish you health and happiness in your families,” she concluded, according toHello!.

It remains unclear what royal title or styling, if any, Elia may retain after the divorce is finalized. Leka inherited the Albanian crown upon the death of his father, King Leka I, in 2011, and Elia became Crown Princess of the Albanians when they wed in 2016.

Elia Zaharia and Crown Prince Leka of Albania on their October 2016 wedding day.Luc Castel/GettyImages

Luc Castel/GettyImages

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Leka is the grandson of the late King Zog I, who ruled the Albanian Kingdom from 1928 to 1939. He and Elia met in 2008, got engaged in Paris in 2010 and wed at the former Royal Palace of Tirana on Oct. 8, 2016, hisroyal biooutlines. Their daughter Geraldine was born on Oct. 22, 2002, and named after Queen Geraldine, who died 18 years to the day before she was born.

During their marriage, Leka and Elia lived together in Tirana and worked to promote Albania and Kosova while running the Queen Geraldine Foundation.

Crown Princess Elia, Princess Geraldine and Crown Prince Leka on Princess Geraldine’s birthday in October 2022.Blerta Celibashi/DNphotography/ABACAPRESS.COM

Blerta Celibashi/DNphotography/ABACAPRESS.COM

“Dear friends, I wish you a very joyous Christmas! May you cherish happy moments with family and friends during this special time! I hope this holiday brings joy and harmony to every home!” theInstagramcarousel was captioned.

source: people.com