Albanian Monarchy | The Royal Correspondent

Photo courtesy of *Oborri Mbreteror Shqiptar*

The Albanian Royal Court has announced the birth of a son to Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Leka II and Princess Blerta of the Albanians.

According to a statement released by the court on Friday, Her Royal Highness Princess Blerta gave birth to His Royal Highness Prince Aleksandër of the Albanians on July 10, 2026, at the Queen Geraldine University Obstetric and Gynecological Hospital in Tirana.

Prince Aleksandër is the first child of Crown Prince Leka II and Princess Blerta and is the heir to the House of Zogu.

The couple was married in a private civil ceremony at Château Apponyi in Slovakia on March 15, 2026.

The House of Zogu was established in 1928, when King Zog I proclaimed the Kingdom of the Albanians. The monarchy was abolished in 1946 following the proclamation of the People’s Republic of Albania. Crown Prince Leka II is recognized by monarchists as the head of the historic royal house.

Crown Prince Leka II is the grandson of King Zog I. Prince Aleksandër is now first in the line of succession to the headship of the House of Zogu.

Portrait courtesy of the Royal Court of Albania
Portrait courtesy of the Royal Court of Albania

This afternoon, the Royal Court of Albania announced the marriage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka of the Albanians to Miss Blerta Celibashi.

According to a statement issued by the Royal Court, the couple were married in a private civil ceremony held at Château Apponyi in Slovakia. The ceremony was conducted in an intimate setting in keeping with the wishes of the couple and their families.

An official photograph released on the occasion was taken at the château, a residence historically associated with the late Queen Geraldine of the Albanians, who was born Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Apponyi into a Hungarian noble family before her marriage to King Zog I in 1938.

Following the marriage, Princess Blerta will bear the family name Zogu, the title Princess of the Albanians, and the style of Her Royal Highness.

The Albanian royal dynasty was established in 1928 when King Zog I proclaimed the Kingdom of the Albanians. His reign ended in 1939 when Italy invaded Albania, forcing the royal family into exile.

Crown Prince Leka, commonly known as Crown Prince Leka of Albania, is the head of the House of Zogu.