Royal Couple Announces Divorce, Ending 7 Years of Marriage

Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania have publicly announced their decision to divorce, bringing an end to their marriage that began with a lavish ceremony in 2016.

The shocking announcement was made through a statement shared on social media on Monday.

Royal couple announce divorce after 7 years: ‘The marriage has lost its function’ https://t.co/J4sJJpUybT pic.twitter.com/fcdG4ZFtGs

— New York Post (@nypost) January 17, 2024

Crown Prince Leka's official Instagram featured a message translated into English, stating, "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."

The statement emphasized that their 3-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine, remains a focal point of their attention to ensure her happiness and safety.

Regardless of the decision to end their marriage, the post highlighted Crown Prince Leka's belief in the values of mutual respect and understanding as the foundation for their ongoing relationship, centered around the growth and education of Princess Geraldine.

Crown Prince Leka, as the head of the Albanian royal family, had married actress and singer Elia in a ceremony held in the capital city of Tirana in October 2016.

Hello! magazine reported that Elia released her own statement on the split, expressing the difficulty of the decision and her commitment to family values.

She acknowledged the necessity of seeking a divorce and emphasized the importance of ensuring their daughter's well-being during this transition.

The couple, who became parents to Princess Geraldine four years after their wedding, chose to name their daughter after the prince's late grandmother, Queen Geraldine.

Crown Prince Leka II holds the role of being a "custodian of the Monarchy's legacy" and maintains a balanced position in Albanian politics as a "symbol of Albanian unity," according to the official website of the royal family.

He assumed the position of heir to the Albanian crown following the death of his father, King Leka I, in 2011.