Royal Couple Announces Divorce After 'Marriage Has Lost Its Function'
A royal couple from Albania is officially ending their marriage after being together for seven years.
Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania confirmed their decision to divorce in a post on social media Monday. The royal couple said "I do" in a lavish ceremony in 2016. Elia Zaharia is an actress and singer.
"Hello friends and lovers. 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," read the translated announcement shared on Crown Prince Leka's official Instagram account.
The post also addressed the former couple's arrangement for their 3-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine. According to the statement, the child is "at the center of their dedicated attention to ensure a happy and safe life."
"Regardless of the commitment to the institution of the family, LTM Leka believes that the values of mutual respect and understanding will form the basis of the relationship in its continuity, which will have as its motive the growth and education of LSM Princess Geraldine," Crown Prince Leka's announcement concluded.
Crown Princess Elia made a separate announcement about their split on social media. In a since-deleted post, she mentioned it wasn't what she wanted, but sometimes "separation is the only option," Hello! magazine reported.
"Friends and well-wishers, I need to inform you that today we started the legal procedures for the settlement of marriage, as we jointly decided to seek a divorce," she reportedly wrote.
"This is not at all a reality that makes me happy, as I believe in family values as the most precious thing! I would never have chosen for my daughter to grow up with separate parents, but sometimes separation is the only option. What matters most is that my baby girl experiences this moment as easily as possible. Thank you very much to all of you who wrote to me and gave me courage. Despite these difficult months I've gone through, your kindness has given me strength. I wish you health and happiness in your families."
The royal couple lived together in Tirana after they wed. They worked to promote Albania and Kosova and ran the Queen Geraldine Foundation. Prince Leka has also served as an advisor within the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and the Albanian Presidents Office, while his wife worked at the Albanian National Theater, according to People.
It remains unclear what royal title or styling Elia will keep, if there is any, once their divorce is finalized. She became Crown Princess of the Albanians when she married Crown Prince Leka II in 2016.
