Exclusive Interview with H.R.H. Crown Prince Leka II: Legacy, Besa, and the Future of the Royal House of Albania
Join us as Crown Prince Leka II shares his views on life beyond the throne, the 'besa', duty, heritage, chivalric orders, and his vision for the future, on the anniversary of the Albanian Monarchy!
With immense joy and pride, The Investiture presents an exclusive interview with H.R.H. Crown Prince Leka II of the Albanians, the only grandson of King Zog I and Queen Géraldine, and the current Head of the Royal House of Zogu of Albania.
H.R.H. Crown Prince Leka II stands as a contemporary and cosmopolitan guardian of an extraordinary inheritance. His role is shaped by a dynasty that helped give form to the modern Albanian state and by a nation whose twentieth-century history was marked by upheaval and renewal. The Royal House of Zogu, national, European, and unmistakably Albanian, has long framed its mission not in nostalgia but in service: to memory, to national dignity, and to the civic virtues that bind free peoples together.
At his birth in 1982, a unique tribute underscored that legacy: the South African government, by order of Prime Minister P. W. Botha, declared the maternity ward “Albanian soil” for a day, ensuring the exiled Prince was born on Albanian land. Today, he carries forward the values of his forebears in a very different Albania, serving not as a reigning monarch, but as a unifying figure devoted to his people.
The royal story of Albania begins with King Zog I, born Ahmet Zogu of Mati, who rose from regional leadership into national politics in the difficult years after independence. He served successively as Minister of the Interior and Prime Minister, returned decisively to power after the crisis of 1924, and guided Albania as President of the Republic from 1925 to 1928.
On 1 September 1928, the National Assembly proclaimed the constitutional monarchy and offered him the crown; he took the regnal name Zog I, King of the Albanians. His reign pursued the consolidation of institutions, the codification of law, and administrative and financial modernization, while balancing intense pressure from competing regional powers, an ambitious endeavor cut short by the Italian invasion of 7 April 1939.
At King Zog’s side stood magnificent Queen Géraldine, born Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, of one of Hungary’s historic magnate families. Through the illustrious Apponyi noble line, she embodied the cultured, European high nobility; known in contemporary accounts as the White Rose of Hungary, she brought grace, learning, and charitable spirit to the Albanian court. Their only child, Crown Prince Leka I, was born on 5 April 1939, just two days before the invasion forced the royal family into a decades-long exile.
That exile was sustained by a network of friends and allied courts. The royal family received safe passage through Greece and refuge in France and the United Kingdom, as guests under the British Crown’s protection, and later found generous hospitality in Egypt as guests of King Farouk. In subsequent decades, they also benefited from Spanish and Jordanian goodwill and eventually settled for many years in Southern Africa. Throughout, the House of Zogu maintained an unbroken Albanian identity. Throughout, they traveled on Albanian royal passports and declined other citizenship—conduct consistent with a principled government-in-exile.
From this lineage comes H.R.H. Crown Prince Leka II, born in South Africa in 1982. Educated at St Peter’s College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he combined international formation with a clear sense of national duty. After the fall of communism, history turned a page: in 2002, the royal family returned to Albania at the invitation of Parliament, an act followed in 2003 by legislation acknowledging their historical role within the Republic. Following his father’s death in 2011, Leka II succeeded as Head of the House of Zogu.
Crown Prince Leka II has since carved out a distinct place in public life—rooted in royal tradition, lived within a republican framework. He has worked with state institutions, including roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, and served as a political adviser to the President of the Republic (2012–2013). His approach is intentionally non-partisan: to be, as he often says, “a custodian of the Crown,” advancing integrity, honor, and besa, the Albanian word for pledge and trust, as public virtues rather than partisan banners.
As Grand Master of the Royal Orders of the Albanian Royal House, Chivalric Orders instituted by his grandfather, King Zog I, the Crown Prince advances a program that weds recognition to responsibility:
The Royal Order of Fidelity (Urdhri i Besës) is rooted in the ancient Albanian code of honor—besa—rewarding loyalty, courage, and steadfast devotion to country and community.
The Royal Order of Skanderbeg (Urdhri Mbretëror i Skënderbeut) honors eminent service to Albania, its culture, and public life, bearing the name of the national hero whose standard still inspires the nation.
Admissions are governed with rigor and counsel from the Royal Council. The Grand Collar is reserved for heads of state or exceptional merit, reflecting the orders’ highest ceremonial class.
Their chivalric work complements the humanitarian mission of the Queen Géraldine Foundation, which continues the philanthropic legacy of the Crown Prince’s grandmother through programs in education and healthcare and initiatives that support Albania’s European course. In parallel, archival cooperation and historical scholarship—aimed at disentangling fact from the distortions of the communist era—have helped a new generation rediscover the royal chapter of Albania’s story with clarity and pride.
The Crown Prince’s public identity thus rests on three pillars: national service conducted within the Republic’s institutions; the ethical vocabulary of besa, honor, and duty; and a cultural diplomacy that places Albania’s royal heritage in conversation with its democratic present.
Two decades after the family’s homecoming, the Crown Prince’s role remains both unconventional and unmistakably useful. He occupies the space where history and citizenship meet, reminding Albanians that continuity is not the enemy of progress, and that pride in the past can empower honest work for the future.
In the pages that follow, Crown Prince Leka II speaks with The Investiture about duty and identity, about the meaning of chivalric orders in modern society, about philanthropy, heritage, and the European vocation of Albania, and about the personal discipline required of anyone who would be, in the fullest sense, a custodian of a crown.
For true admirers of royal heritage and chivalry: read on below as Prince Leka II shares, in his own words, how Albania’s royal legacy is being rekindled in the heart of modern society.
The Investiture: Your Royal Highness, as the grandson of King Zog I and son of Crown Prince Leka I, you carry a profound royal legacy. What specific values or lessons from your grandparents, King Zog and Queen Géraldine, inspire you in preserving and promoting Albania’s royal heritage today?
Prince Leka II: I feel extremely fortunate to be surrounded by the examples set by my family. My grandfather, King Zog I, as the founder of the modern Albanian state, occupies a unique place in our nation’s history – a statesman and a war hero whose vision and determination shaped Albania’s path. My grandmother, Queen Géraldine, remains deeply inspiring to me for her devotion to her husband and family, her intelligence, and the warmth she shared as a loving grandmother.
From my father, King Leka, I inherited the example of perseverance. Living through the era of the Cold War, he embodied resistance and resilience, never wavering in his belief in a free Albania, even against the greatest odds. Their values of service, loyalty, courage, and unwavering dedication to Albania guide me in preserving and promoting our royal heritage today.
The Investiture: Your birth in South Africa, with the maternity ward declared "Albanian territory" for a day, is a remarkable story of your family's exile. How has this unique beginning, combined with your return to Albania in 2002, shaped your sense of identity and commitment to your homeland?
Prince Leka II: The Royal Albanian Government-in-Exile was a unique case: my family used only Albanian royal passports and never accepted any other nationality. My birth in South Africa carried its own symbolism, with my hospital ward declared an extraterritorial territory for a day by the then-Prime Minister P. W. Botha. While this gesture reflected the political sensitivities of the time, it also affirmed our identity in exile. The family maintained its diplomatic immunity and status throughout its time in many countries.
Our return to Albania in 2002, at the invitation of Parliament, was a defining moment that transformed that symbolism into reality – strengthening both my sense of belonging and my commitment to serve my homeland.
The Investiture: The Albanian Parliament granted your family special legal status in 2003, recognizing your role in a republican system. How do you define your responsibilities as Head of the House of Zogu, and what are some practical ways you work to foster unity and stability in Albania?
Prince Leka II: The recognition of royal status in 2003 was an important step in our reintegration into the Albanian state. It established provisions within state protocol, ensured protection for our historical collections, and outlined rights regarding land compensation and restoration.
As Head of the Albanian Royal House, my duty today is to serve Albania with a balanced and constructive approach. I do this through the work of the Queen Géraldine Foundation, the Royal Orders of Skanderbeg and Besa, and our wider diplomatic and cultural activities – always seeking to bridge history with the realities of modern Albania, and to contribute to unity, stability, and national pride.
The Investiture: As Grand Master of the Order of Fidelity and the Order of Skanderbeg, as well as the holder of the Grand Collar of Honour of Albania, how do you keep these historic chivalric orders relevant in modern Albania? What significance do they hold for Albanians and Europeans in today’s world?
Prince Leka II: The Orders remain relevant today by honoring those whose service to the Albanians and the Royal Family reflects the timeless values of loyalty, courage, and unity.
These orders are our way of saying “thank you,” and are awarded solely on merit. I hope that, in the future, the orders will be more structured and will build a strong network of support both in the country and abroad – a duty which will be managed by the Royal Council.
The Investiture: Your father emphasized raising you with values of integrity and honor rooted in Albanian traditions. How do you personally interpret chivalry in the 21st century, and what steps are you taking to pass these principles on to younger generations?
Prince Leka II: Chivalry today is not about titles or ceremony, but about standing for justice, compassion, and service to others. These are values I strive to embody in my daily life and through initiatives such as the Queen Géraldine Foundation.
I am also focused on reviving the concept of the Besa – the ancient Albanian code of honour – which many young Albanians have either forgotten or do not fully understand. By reintroducing Besa’s principles of loyalty and trust, I aim to inspire younger generations to uphold these timeless Albanian virtues.
The Investiture: Your diplomatic experience includes roles in Albania’s ministries and advising the President. How has your royal background influenced your approach to diplomacy, and do you see yourself as a global ambassador for Albania’s culture and interests?
Prince Leka II: I always wish I could do more to serve Albania. In particular, my role on the diplomatic stage depends on the willingness of the Albanian Government to involve me more actively.
It has been a privilege to contribute in the past as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, and, most recently, to the President of the Republic. These experiences have deepened my commitment to our country, and I remain ready to serve whenever called upon.
The Investiture: Your connections with other European royal families, such as Romania’s, seem to play a significant role in your life. How have these relationships shaped your approach to leadership, and what potential do you see for collaboration among royal families in promoting cultural or charitable causes?
Prince Leka II: In Southeast Europe, every achievement by a royal cousin house is an inspiration. I deeply admire the way Her Majesty Queen Margareta of Romania continues to serve her country with dignity and dedication, carving out her own role within a republic.
Likewise, my Uncle Simeon – King Simeon II of Bulgaria – remains, without doubt, a true statesman and a remarkable example to follow. I am also hopeful for the future, as I see great potential in the younger generations of other royal families, such as the Serbian princes and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece.
Our bonds of friendship and shared heritage can certainly be harnessed to promote cultural initiatives and charitable causes across borders.
The Investiture: What challenges have you faced in correcting the narratives from the communist times in modern Albania, and how have young Albanians responded to rediscovering their royal heritage through your efforts with historians and archives?
Prince Leka II: Correcting the communist-era narrative is challenging, but history is too important to ignore. Through archives, documentaries, and publications, we work to separate fact from propaganda. I am encouraged by the growing interest of young Albanians who are eager to rediscover their true heritage and learn about our monarchy’s real history. Yet, much work remains ahead. We still need to do a lot more in terms of education and open dialogue to fully overcome that legacy of over half a century.
The Investiture: The Queen Géraldine Foundation reflects your commitment to humanitarian causes. What motivated you to establish this organization, and what specific impacts do you aim to achieve for Albanian society through its focus on education and healthcare?
Prince Leka II: The Queen Géraldine Foundation, established in 2012 as a continuation of my mother Queen Susan’s foundation from the early 1990s, was initially dedicated mainly to education and healthcare.
Today, we are broadening our mission to include more dynamic engagement in European affairs and to support Albania’s path toward EU integration. The months ahead will be interesting as we balance these different roles.
Ultimately, our motivation is to honor Queen Géraldine’s example of compassion by improving the lives of Albanian people – whether through scholarships for talented youth, better medical care in underserved areas, or cultural programs that bring Albania closer to Europe.
The Investiture: Your training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst earned you the title of Best Foreign Student. What key leadership lessons from this experience do you apply today, and how are you engaging Albania’s youth to foster civic pride and leadership skills?
Prince Leka II: The motto of RMAS Sandhurst, Serve to Lead, captures the essence of leadership. My father always reminded me that a prince or a king is, above all, a servant of his people.
The military experience at Sandhurst pushed me to my limits, shaping my character and discipline. It taught me to lead by example, to persevere under pressure, and to work as part of a team. Now, as I celebrated my 20th reunion from the Academy this year, I reflect with gratitude on the enduring friendships I forged there – bonds that remain truly special to this day.
The Investiture: Your diverse heritage showcases Albania’s tradition of religious tolerance. How do these influences shape your leadership, and what lessons can Albania’s model of religious harmony offer the world today?
Prince Leka II: Albania has long stood at the crossroads of empires and religions, and its landscape bears the marks of this remarkable European history. Over centuries, we learned not just to tolerate our differences, but to truly respect and harmonize them. This history has taught Albanians to endure hardships and to cultivate genuine harmony among different faiths.
In my own family, for example, my grandmother was Catholic, my mother Anglican, and my father Sunni Muslim – a reflection of the multicultural and interfaith spirit that defines Albania.
This upbringing instilled in me an appreciation for diversity and the understanding that unity does not require uniformity. I believe Albania’s model of religious harmony – where families like mine celebrate multiple faith traditions side by side – offers a valuable lesson to the world: that mutual respect and shared values can bind a nation more strongly than any single creed.
The Investiture: Becoming a father to Princess Géraldine must have been a transformative experience. How has fatherhood influenced your sense of duty, and what family values do you hope to instill in your daughter as she grows up?
Prince Leka II: “Father” is my favorite title. The birth of Princess Géraldine has given my life a profound new meaning. Fatherhood has only deepened my sense of duty – not only to my family, but to Albania’s future.
I hope to give Géraldine every opportunity to forge her own path, while nurturing in her a love for her people and the values of integrity and compassion. I want her to grow up knowing the importance of service, humility, and staying true to one’s word. Just as my parents did for me, I aim to lead by example so that she understands that our family’s legacy is not about privilege, but about responsibility and love for our country.
The Investiture: As a royal in a republic, how do you envision the future role of the Albanian monarchy? Is your focus on cultural and charitable contributions, or do you hold aspirations for a formal restoration of the Crown?
Prince Leka II: My focus is on preserving our history and serving the nation, regardless of constitutional form. The future of the monarchy is ultimately for the Albanian people to decide. My duty is to give them a reason to reflect on it by demonstrating the positive role a royal family can play.
I remain mindful of the realities of the modern world and Europe, where such changes are generally not supported. Therefore, I channel my efforts into cultural, educational, and charitable contributions – areas where I believe we can make a tangible difference. In essence, I aspire to be a unifying figure and a guardian of Albania’s heritage.
The Investiture: Your unwavering commitment to serving Albania shines through in your tireless efforts as Crown Prince. What inspires you to embrace this role with such dedication, and what aspects of your work bring you the greatest sense of fulfillment?
Prince Leka II: At times, I feel that I am not doing enough, yet I am deeply aware of the responsibility I carry. Meeting Royalists who endured hardships under the communist regime, and who now look to me with hope for change, reminds me why this role matters and gives me a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. These instances reassure me that our efforts are touching lives and keeping our history alive in the national consciousness.
The Investiture: Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope the Albanian Royal Family will leave for future generations, and how do you plan to ensure that your efforts resonate with Albanians in the years to come?
Prince Leka II: I consider myself only a custodian of the Crown – each generation of my family has the duty to build the foundations for the next. I hope that the legacy we leave is one of service, unity, and continuity.
To ensure our efforts resonate, I work closely with the Legality Party, a monarchist parliamentary party, and the broader Zogist diaspora. These partners are just as dedicated as I am to ensuring that my grandfather’s legacy is not forgotten.
The Investiture: As the readers of The Investiture reflect on your journey and leadership, what message of inspiration or guidance would you share with them to convey your vision for chivalric orders in modern society?
Prince Leka II: Chivalry is not just a tradition of the past; it is a guiding principle for the present. I truly believe that the core ideals of chivalry – honor, loyalty, courage, and service – are as relevant today as ever. I hope that your readers will become friends & allies of the Albanian Monarchy and people as we forge our path within Europe. Let us all strive to serve to lead, wherever we find ourselves, and in doing so, keep the flame of chivalry burning bright for future generations.