Royal couple of Albania separates after eight years of marriage

Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania have announced they are divorcing after eight years of marriage.

The former couple, who tied the knot in October 2016 at the former Royal Palace of Tirana, shared the news to Crown Prince Leka’s official Instagram on 15 January. Leka, the head of the Albanian royal family, and Elia Zharaia, an Albanian actor and singer, share one child together: three-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine.

“Hello friends and lovers,” began the statement, per People’s English translation. “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.”

In the statement, the royals maintained that their daughter remains “at the centre of their dedicated attention to ensure a happy and safe life”.

“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 post concluded.

"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 post concluded.

Prince Leka II, 41, is the grandson of former King Zog I, who was exiled to Italy with his family in April 1939 when Mussolini invaded Albania. He became the heir to the Albanian Crown following the death of his father, King Leka I, in 2011. He has worked as an advisor within the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Albanian President's Office. Princess Elia, 40, was born Elia Zharaia and is an actress and singer. She works at the Albanian National Theater.

Albania, which has a population of around 2.8 million people, is located to the east of Italy on the southeastern part of Europe's Balkan Peninsula.