Royal Family Of Albania

[suturegeisha]

Does anyone know where the royal family of Albania is living at the present time? I thought that I had read somewhere that they were allowed to return to their homeland after living in exile in South Africa.
-Kara-

[carlota]

leka of albania is studing in germany or britain.... maybe sandhurst

[Philippos]

Originally posted by suturegeisha@May 30th, 2004 - 3:18 am
Does anyone know where the royal family of Albania is living at the present time? I thought that I had read somewhere that they were allowed to return to their homeland after living in exile in South Africa.
-Kara-

Try this site: Maîson Royale d'Albanie.

[tiaraprin]

King Leka and Queen Susan have lived in many places due to Leka being kicked out for suspected gun running and being a covert agent. Last I knew, he was in South Africa.

King Leka has an extensive collection of firearms and has photographed his son, Prince Leka Anwar Badouin, with some of these when he was a child. Putting a gun in a child's hand is not smart.

King Leka's parents were King Zog and Queen Geraldine. Geraldine was a Hungarian Countess through her father and had American blue blood from her mother.

For more information on the Albanian royal family, Please read Geoffrey Hindley's The Royal Families of Europe.

[tiaraprin]

The Royal Family of Albania went into exile 2 days after the birth of present King of Albania on April 5, 1939. They escaped Mussolini by taking a red Mercedes Benz out of the country before Mussolini could capture them. When Mussolini had totally conquered Albania, he proclaimed the Italian King, Vittorio Emmanuele III, King of Albania also.

King Leka is also known as "the Rambo of the Balkans"

[Splodger]

Originally posted by tiaraprin@Jun 13th, 2004 - 1:26 am
Please read Geoffrey Hindley's The Royal Families of Europe.

Just as a cautionary word of advise. Geoffrey Hindley's book "The Royal Families of Europe" is loaded with mistakes. Unfortunatley it is one of the only 'upto date' books on Europe in general that is available at the moment. I have to say I was very dissapointed with the book, as most appears to be re-writtings of other peoples work which has not been fully understood by the author. Before taking any fact from Hindley's book as 'truth' I would strongley recomened cross referencing it with other material first.

[bct88]

What is the religion of the Royal Family of Albania? I believe that King Zog was Muslim, but his wife Geraldine was a Catholic. Are they Muslim, Catholic, or another religion?

[tiaraprin]

Originally posted by bct88@Jun 21st, 2004 - 6:08 pm
What is the religion of the Royal Family of Albania? I believe that King Zog was Muslim, but his wife Geraldine was a Catholic. Are they Muslim, Catholic, or another religion?

They are Muslim.

[tiaraprin]

Originally posted by Splodger+Jun 20th, 2004 - 4:27 am--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Splodger @ Jun 20th, 2004 - 4:27 am)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-tiaraprin@Jun 13th, 2004 - 1:26 am
Please read Geoffrey Hindley's The Royal Families of Europe.

Just as a cautionary word of advise. Geoffrey Hindley's book "The Royal Families of Europe" is loaded with mistakes. Unfortunatley it is one of the only 'upto date' books on Europe in general that is available at the moment. I have to say I was very dissapointed with the book, as most appears to be re-writtings of other peoples work which has not been fully understood by the author. Before taking any fact from Hindley's book as 'truth' I would strongley recomened cross referencing it with other material first. [/b][/quote]
Thank you Splodger, I was not aware of that.

[Splodger]

I am just going to check on my previous statement - I think Hindley has written more than one book with similar title... i will confirm when i get home to ensure we are all talking about the same book and either way give the details of the one that is incorrect.

[Splodger]

Book Reference Confirmation

Please find below the details of Geoffrey Hindley’s book (UK edition) that I referred to earlier and have found to have questionable references. Please Note however that I am not suggesting that the whole book is inaccurate! I am by no means an expert in all areas covered in the book (for example I can not comment on the accuracy on Albanian references) however on the topics I am more familiar with, I found Hindley to have confused events and names and been inconsistent in his presentation of material. This view has also been supported by reviews I have read (sadly after I purchased the book). My personal recommendation is by all means borrow it from your library but I would not bother purchasing the book, and to cross reference using other sources any facts. I was sadly very disappointed by the book.

Title The Royal Families of Europe
Author: Geoffrey Hindley
Publisher: Constable & Robinson, London
Date: 2000

Originally posted by Splodger+Jun 20th, 2004 - 4:27 am--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Splodger @ Jun 20th, 2004 - 4:27 am)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-tiaraprin@Jun 13th, 2004 - 1:26 am
Please read Geoffrey Hindley's The Royal Families of Europe.

Just as a cautionary word of advise. Geoffrey Hindley's book "The Royal Families of Europe" is loaded with mistakes. Unfortunatley it is one of the only 'upto date' books on Europe in general that is available at the moment. I have to say I was very dissapointed with the book, as most appears to be re-writtings of other peoples work which has not been fully understood by the author. Before taking any fact from Hindley's book as 'truth' I would strongley recomened cross referencing it with other material first. [/b][/quote]
I gave Hindley's book a terrible review in Royal Book News. There is nothing to recommend about this book.

Slipshod to say the least.

[tiaraprin]

Although I found some inaccuracies in the book, I did not realize it was that bad--I find mistakes in most books, so I shrugged it off. I am curious to know a better a source for information?

[suturegeisha]

Thanks, you guys, for all of the info. I appreciate it.
-Kara-

[Splodger]

Originally posted by tiaraprin@Jun 26th, 2004 - 6:47 pm
I am curious to know a better a source for information?

I am afraid that to my knowledge I do not know of any other books that cover Europe as a whole that are upto date. I have a copy of a 1980 eddition of:

"Country Life's Book of Europian Royal Families"
Maria Kroll & Jason Lindsey
with photographs by Lord Litchfield (Queen Liz II Cousin)
and complied & edited by Burke's Peerage

I have found this to be a good book & it was reading this many years ago that sparked off the interest in monarchy, although naturaly it is 24years old, whether there has been an upto date edition printed recently I do not know.

One good place for 2nd Hand books you could try for either General or Specific books is www.abebooks.co.uk who have book shops listed from around the world and I have found a very good service.

Hope this at least helps suggest a few places to look if nothing else... happy book hunting.

[Philippos]

According to Reuters, King Leka's wife has died from a heartcondition Saturday, 17th of July. Queen Susan I Zog was 63 years old.

Australian Wife of Albanian Throne Pretender Dies (Sat Jul 17, 2004 07:05 PM ET)

[bct88]

Does anyone have any images of the funeral?

[galuhcandrakirana]

I have a picture of Queen Susan of Albania, but I am not sure in what event she was.

[Australian]

Looks like CP Mary of Denmark wasnt the firs Aussie to marry into royalty. The pretender to the throne of Albania married Susan Ward of Australia. She recently died. Australian authorities refused to recognize her as Queen Susan but then they agreed and her passport was changed to Queen Susan of Albania.

Apparently she was a very elegant and dignified woman. At their wedding, there were cries of "Long live the King"