Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania are going their separate ways.
The news was announced in a statement shared to Crown Prince Leka’s officialInstagramon Monday, which stressed that the couple’s 3-year-old daughter,Princess Geraldine, remains their priority. Leka is the head of the Albanian royal family and married Elia Zharaia, an actress and singer, in 2016.
OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty
“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, adding 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.
Leka is the grandson of the late King Zog I, who ruled the Albanian Kingdom from 1928 to 1939. According to hisroyal bio, he and Elia met in 2008, got engaged in Paris in 2010 and married at the (former) Royal Palace of Tirana on Oct. 8, 2016. Their daughter Geraldine was born on Oct. 22, 2002, and named after Queen Geraldine, who died 18 years to the day before her great-granddaughter was born.
Hello!magazinereported that Elia, 40, also commented on the divorce news in a separate statement that has since been deleted from social media.
Crown Prince Leka of Albania and Elia Zaharia on their October 2016 wedding day.Luc Castel/Getty
Luc Castel/Getty
“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. She became Crown Princess of the Albanians when she married Leka eight years ago.
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
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During their marriage, Leka and Elia lived together in Tirana and worked to promote Albania and Kosova while running the Queen Geraldine Foundation. The royal family’s websiteoutlinesthat Prince Leka has worked as an advisor within the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and the Albanian Presidents Office, while Princess Elia worked at the Albanian National Theater.
In October 2023, Leka was photographed solo at theroyal weddingof Princess Maria Francisca de Braganza and Duarte de Sousa Araujo Martins in Portugal.
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.Albert Nieboer/Netherlands OUT/Point de Vue OUT/dpa/Alamy Live News
Albert Nieboer/Netherlands OUT/Point de Vue OUT/dpa/Alamy Live News
source: people.com
