In Tirana, the Royal Court of Albania announced the engagement between His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of Albania and Miss Blerta Celibashi.

The couple became engaged on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in Ksamil, Southern Albania, in the presence of family and close friends.

The Crown Prince was born Leka Anwar Zog Reza Baudouin Msiziwe Zogu, Prince of Albania, on March 26, 1982, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Leka I and Crown Princess Susan of Albania.

Crown Prince Leka II, who is fluent in English, Albanian, and Italian, received his education in South Africa before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England in 2005.

He later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Illyria and completed studies at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, as well as advanced courses at the Albanian Defense College.

From 2006 to 2013, he served as a political adviser within several Albanian government institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Office of the President of Albania.

Following the death of his father, on November 30, 2011, Prince Leka succeeded as the Head of the House of Zogu and was thereafter known as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of Albania.

The Royal Family of Albania, known as the House of Zogu, traces its origins to northern Albania, where the Zogolli family (later styled Zogu) were prominent landowners and tribal leaders in the Mat region. The dynasty’s modern history began with Ahmet Muhtar Zogolli, later known as King Zog I of the Albanians.

Following Albania’s declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Ahmet Zog emerged as a key political figure. He served as Minister of the Interior, later as Prime Minister, and eventually as the President of the Republika e Shqipërisë (Republic of Albania) on January 31, 1925. 

His presidency marked the establishment of the First Albanian Republic, during which he consolidated central authority and sought to modernize state institutions.

On September 1, 1928, the Constitutional Assembly of Albania proclaimed Albania a constitutional monarchy, and President Zogu assumed the title King Zog I, King of the Albanians. The new regime was organized under the Fundamental Statute of the Kingdom of Albania, which outlined a hereditary monarchy with a parliament, though executive power remained largely concentrated in the King’s hands.

His reign continued until April 7, 1939, when Albania was invaded by Italy under the regime of Benito Mussolini, forcing the royal family into exile.

After World War II, the monarchy was formally abolished on January 11, 1946, with the proclamation of the People’s Republic of Albania (Republika Popullore e Shqipërisë). The new Communist-led government, under Enver Hoxha, consolidated power and ended the monarchy. Formally, Omer Nishani served as the first Head of State, holding the title Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly from 1946 to 1953.

Despite being in exile, King Zog I and his descendants remained recognized by royalists as the legitimate royal family of Albania. The king’s only son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka I of Albania, became Head of the House of Zogu upon his father’s death on April 9, 1961. Following the death of his father on November 30, 2011, Prince Leka succeeded as Head of the House of Zogu and was recognized as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of Albania.

In 2008, he met Albanian actress and singer Elia Zaharia in Paris, France. The couple announced their engagement in 2010. On Saturday, October 8, 2016, they were married in a civil ceremony at the Presidential Palace (Pallati i Brigadave) in Tirana, formerly the royal palace of King Zog I. 

Guests who attended the wedding included Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain (now known as H.M. Emerita Queen Sofía of Spain), Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, His Imperial Highness Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia, Their Imperial Highnesses Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika of Austria, His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi,

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco, Her Royal Highness Princess Lea of Belgium, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Margareta (now known as Her Majesty Margareta, The Custodian of the Crown of Romania) and Prince Radu of Romania, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Bragança, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Gundakar and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein,

Her Serene Highness Princess Gloria, the Dowager Princess of Thurn and Taxis, Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, His Royal Highness Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš of Montenegro, Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Prince Joachim Murat, the groom’s family, the bride’s family, government officials, and distinguished guests.

On October 22, 2020, the Crown Prince couple welcomed their first child, Her Royal Highness Princess Geraldine Sibilla Francesca Susan Marie of Albania. 

On January 15, 2024, the Royal Court of Albania announced that the Crown Prince couple had decided to divorce after eight years of marriage.

On March 5, 2024, a domestic incident occurred at the Crown Prince’s residence in Tirana involving his soon-to-be ex-wife, Ms. Elia Zaharia, and her father, Mr. Gjergj Zaharia. The domestic incident, recorded on Crown Prince Leka’s phone as it unfolded, drew significant public attention in Albania and abroad.

Following the incident, the Crown Prince filed a formal report with the local police and filed a restraining order against Ms. Elia Zaharia. The video of the domestic incident was later leaked to the media by an Albanian police officer.

On April 24, 2024, the Royal Court announced that the couple’s divorce had been finalized, formally ending their marriage.

In the months following his divorce, Crown Prince Leka II began appearing publicly with Miss Blerta Celibashi, a professional photographer based in Tirana. She is the founder of Blerta C Photography, a company specializing in weddings, portraits, and lifestyle imagery, which she describes as “the art of visual storytelling.” 

Miss Celibashi has been noted for her elegant and creative work within Albania’s photography scene and has accompanied the Crown Prince at several public engagements in Albania and abroad since the summer of 2024.

While her professional life is well-documented through her social media and business accounts, at this time, there are few personal details publicly available, as Miss Celibashi maintains a discreet presence regarding her family background.

This morning’s engagement announcement of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of Albania and Miss Blerta Celibashi marks a new chapter for the House of Zogu.