Albanian Crown Prince Leka II Marries Blerta Celibashi in Slovakia Castle Ceremony
Crown Prince Leka II of Albania has wed his new partner, wedding photographer Blerta Celibashi, in a small and private ceremony held at the historic Apponyi Castle in Slovakia. The intimate event on Sunday marked a significant personal milestone for the 43-year-old royal claimant, who has endured a particularly difficult period following his divorce from his first wife earlier this year.
Turbulent Divorce Precedes New Union
The prince's marriage to Blerta Celibashi comes just seven months after he publicly debuted his new relationship at a gala dinner. This follows the official announcement in January 2024 that his eight-year marriage to Elia Zaharia had ended. The couple, who married in 2016 in Albania's second royal wedding since the end of communism, share a five-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine.
In a translated statement released at the time of their separation, a spokesperson for the royal family explained that the marriage had "lost its function" and that the couple had mutually agreed to end their union. The statement emphasized that Princess Geraldine would remain the central focus for both parents, while also requesting that well-wishers respect the family's privacy during this challenging transition.
Domestic Violence Allegations and Court Orders
The separation process became increasingly contentious in March when a video surfaced online allegedly showing Prince Leka involved in a physical altercation with his ex-wife Elia and her 73-year-old father, Gjergj Polikron Zaharia. The Albanian royal court issued a statement claiming that Prince Leka had been "physically attacked with strong objects by his ex-wife and ex-father-in-law" and had submitted the video to police as evidence.
Elia Zaharia offered a different account to Albanian media, claiming she had returned home to find Prince Leka in a confrontation with her elderly father and that her involvement was merely an attempt to stop the conflict. She maintained that she was pursuing legal avenues to address the situation.
Following this incident, the Civil Court of Tirana issued protection orders requiring both Prince Leka and Princess Elia to maintain a distance of five metres from each other. The court also ruled that Prince Leka could only see his daughter in the presence of a nanny.
Contrasting Wedding Celebrations
Sunday's ceremony at Apponyi Castle presented a stark contrast to Prince Leka's first wedding in 2016, which had been an extravagant affair attended by over twenty royal families from around the world, including Prince Michael of Kent. The recent intimate ceremony, where Blerta wore a two-piece white co-ord outfit, was deliberately kept private to preserve what the royal court described as its "intimate and solemn character."
The choice of venue held particular historical significance for the Albanian royal family. Apponyi Castle was the residence of the noble family of Queen Geraldine, Prince Leka's paternal great-grandmother, whose Hungarian origins remain an important part of the Albanian royal heritage. Queen Geraldine was married to King Zog I, Albania's first monarch after independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Royal Legacy and Current Status
Despite the Albanian monarchy having been dissolved in 1943 following the Italian fascist occupation, Prince Leka II maintains his position as head of the House of Zogu and titular King of the Albanians. He succeeded his father, King Leka I, in 2011 and has worked as an adviser within various Albanian government ministries and the president's office.
The prince attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst and, together with his ex-wife Elia, presided over the Queen Geraldine Foundation. With no sons of his own, his current heir presumptive is his first cousin once removed, Skënder Zogu.
Following Sunday's ceremony, the Royal Communications office released an official statement announcing the marriage and confirming that Princess Blerta will now bear the family surname Zogu and the title Princess of the Albanians. The statement expressed the royal family's pleasure in sharing this joyful news with the Albanian nation and friends around the world, marking a new chapter for the prince after a period of considerable personal difficulty.
