Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania Declare Impending Divorce After Grand 2016 Wedding
PHOTO: ALBERT NIEBOER/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP IMAGES
Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania have made the somber announcement of their impending divorce. The royal couple, who celebrated their union in a grand wedding ceremony in 2016, conveyed their decision to part ways through a statement shared on social media.
On his official Instagram account, Crown Prince Leka informed his followers of the couple’s mutual decision to dissolve their marriage. The translated message from the Prince stated, “Hello friends and lovers, through this post, I officially inform you that LTM Prince Leka and Elia Zharaia have agreed to end their marriage. Since marriage has lost its function, they have decided to resolve it with mutual consent by starting the necessary legal procedures.”
Despite the dissolution of their marriage, the couple remains deeply committed to the welfare of their 3-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine. They expressed their shared priority to ensure her happiness and security, emphasizing that mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide their relationship, particularly in matters concerning their daughter’s upbringing and education, as reported by Vanity Fair.
Crown Princess Elia also issued a statement on her Instagram account, which has since been deleted. In her message, she detailed the commencement of their legal separation and expressed her sadness over the decision. She stressed the importance of family values to her and shared her distress about raising their daughter in separate households. However, she also recognized that sometimes parting ways is a necessary step.
The royal couple’s marriage in 2016 was followed by the birth of Princess Geraldine in 2020. Their daughter was named in honor of the Prince’s late grandmother, Queen Geraldine.
Crown Prince Leka II holds a significant role as the head of the Albanian royal family and is revered for preserving the monarchy’s heritage. He maintains a neutral stance in Albanian politics and is revered as a symbol of national unity.
Following the death of his father, King Leka I, in 2011, Crown Prince Leka II ascended as the heir apparent to the Albanian throne. This recent announcement marks a personal shift in the lives of the royal family, even as they continue to uphold their public duties and responsibilities.
