Crown Prince Leka II of Albania and Crown Princess Elia have welcomed their first child last week. While Albania is a Republic and the monarchy was dissolved, they chose to keep their titles and be known by them.
Their daughter’s name has been announced as Geraldine, a tribute to the Prince’s paternal grandmother Queen Geraldine. The baby was also born at the Queen Geraldine Maternity Hospital in Tirana which is also named after her.
Queen Geraldine died on 22 October 2002, exactly 18 years to the day before the new princess was born.
The Royal Family is delighted to announce the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Geraldine, who was born to TRH Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia, Thursday the 22nd of October. Crown Princess Elia was safely delivered at 09:30, at the “Queen Geraldine Maternity” pic.twitter.com/77necOoL8e
— Princ Leka (@princeleka) October 22, 2020
The couple announced the birth and confirmed that both “Her Royal Highness and her child are doing well.”
Queen Geraldine was the wife of King Zog II who was forced into exile when the Italian fascists invaded in 1939. While the monarchy was dissolved, King Leka, the son of King Zog remained as the head of the House of Zogu.
Elia Zaharia was an actress and singer and married Crown Prince Leka II in 2016 giving her the title of Crown Princess Elia.
They live in Tirana and preside over the Queen Geraldine Foundation.
