European Kingdoms

Albania

The Albanians are a sub-grouping of Indo-Europeans who peopled much of the Illyrian coast at one point.

Modern Albania, one of Europe's poorest states, became unexpectedly independent after the First Balkan War (1912-1913), when it was decided that the newly formed kingdom of Yugoslavia would not take control of the coastal territory.

1914

Wilhelm of Wied

1914 - 1918

With its neighbours such as Greece, Serbia, and Austria-Hungary, going to war around it, Albania remains neutral throughout the conflict.

1928

With the collapse of the Ottoman empire, Albania becomes a fully independent state.

Kingdom of Albania
AD 1928 - 1939

1928 - 1939

(Ahmed Zogu) Zog I

Tribal leader. Became an exiled king.

1939 - 1945

Italy invades and occupies Albania on 7 April 1939. The king flees to London. Germany assumes control of Albania in September 1943 when Italy surrenders to the allies.

1945 - 1995

With the weakening of Italian and Nazi power in southern Europe, communists seize control of the state.

1945 - 1985

Enver Hoxha

Dictator.

1995

A democratically elected government rules in Albania, which is still the poorest state in Europe. It is affected by occasional widespread discontent from within (1997), but offers support to NATO in 1999 during the conflict with Serbia, in which hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanians are forcibly expelled from the Kosovo region of Yugoslavia.

Hereditary Kings of Albania
AD 1939 - Present Day

1939 - 1961

(Ahmed Zogu) Zog I

Died 9 April 1961.

1961 - Present

Crown Prince Leka / Zog II / Leka

Crowned king-in-exile in Paris.

1997

Crown Prince Leka, considered to be King Leka by Albanian monarchists, tries to rally support for reinstating the monarchy in post-communist Albania.

Prince Leka / Leka II

Son. Born 1982.