Zog I, King of the Albanians
His Majesty King Zog of the Albanians was born Ahmet Muhtar Zogolli on the 8th of October 1895 in Burgajet Castle, in the Mat region. In 1922 he took the surname Zogu. He died on the 9th of April, 1961, aged 65, at Foch Hospital in Suresnes, Paris.

Zog was the third child of Xhemal Pasha Zogolli, and first son by his second wife to Sadije Toptani.
Upon his father's death in 1908, Zog became hereditary governor of the Mat region, being appointed ahead of his elder half-brother, Xhelal Bey Zogolli, by the clan council of leaders. It was his mother, Sadije Toptani, who would insist that, after his father’s death, he be educated at the Galatasaray Lyceum in Beyoglu, Istanbul. His education abroad kept him safe from the dangers of clan politics.
In 1912 Zog returned to Albania and lead a revolt of the Mat region against the Young Turks. It was during this time that Zog would battle an invading Montenegrin army in the Kakarriqi area gaining him much fame as a military leader.
On the 28 of November 1912, Zog took part in the Albanian declaration of independence, representing the Mat district. Early in 1913, Zog was forced to stop a Serbian incursion in the districts of Diber and Mat. Zog defended the region until October 1913, when the Austrian ultimatum of October 18th, demanded that the Serbs evacuate from Albania.
Albania was accepted as an independent state by the Great Powers, who established it as a Principality and canvassed for a monarch. In 1914 a German Protestant prince, called William of Wied, was appointed as prince of Albania. In 1914, Zog would support the six-month reign of Wied. He was tasked to battle rebels and retake the city of Kruja, returning it to government control. This period would be marked by a bitter rivalry with Essad Pasha Toptani. After World War I ended, William of Wied was not re-instated to the throne, which remained vacant under regency.
The Royal government was forced into exile, with over two thousand loyalists. King Zog made the decision to move to France, where he could better co-ordinate allied support to liberate Albania. The journey to France entailed a trip across free Europe, Romania (1stJuly 1939), Poland (7th July), Latvia (12thJuly), Sweden (18thJuly), Norway (23rd July), Belgium (7thAugust) and finally reaching Paris, France (8thAugust 1939) and settling in the Chateau de la Maye in Versailles.

On 27thJune 1940, the Royal Family left Bordeaux, France for England, with 35 members of the Royal Court. They escaped only 8 hours before the Germans over-ran that area of France. The British officer who co-ordinated the trip was Commander Ian Fleming, who would later become the “James Bond” author.
In London, King Zog and the Royal Family would stay at the Ritz Hotel during the German Blitz (bombing of London).This was followed by a brief stay at Forest Ridge, a house in the South Ascot area of Sunninghill in Berkshire. Then later in 1940 they moved to Parmoor House in Buckinghamshire. These many moves were necessary to avoid the bombings.
During the war years in England, King Zog would continue working for Albania’s liberation from Fascist, Nazi and Communist control. The Royal Government in exile lobbied and co-ordinated operations through Abaz Kupi and the Royal forces in Albania. King Zog went on to forge friendships with President Charles de Gaulle of Free France, as well as with General Wladyslaw Sikorski of Poland and other leaders and Royals in Exile.
In 1946 the Royal Family moved to Egypt at the behest of King Farouk, where they lived on the eastern outskirts of Alexandria, along the Corniche, at Ramleh. In 1949, just before the Arab-Israeli War, King Zog lobbied the Arab League to resist the Albanian communist regime.
In 1951 King Zog visited the United States of America and bought the Knollwood Estate in Muttontown, New York, but he never occupied the estate and sold it in 1955.
The Egyptian coup d’état of 1952 changed the situation; President Gamal Abdel Nasser made things difficult for the Royal Family in Egypt. Through the direct support of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and the Arab League, King Zog was given protection from the Egyptian Socialist Union.
In 1954 King Zog organized covert operations, with Anglo-American support, against the communist regime in Albania. Tragically, the missions were betrayed by a British spy, Kim Philby, who was working as a double agent for the Soviets. As a result many Royalists were captured and killed.
In July 1955 King Zog and the Royal Family returned to France to settle in Cannes. His health started to deteriorate, and any hopes of relocating to the United States of America became impossible.
H.M. King Zog passed away in Foch Hospital in Suresnes, Paris, on 9th April 1961, aged 65. He was buried at the Thiais Cemetery in Paris. On 15th November 2012, in the presence of Albanian Government representatives and an honor guard of French Legionnaires provided by the French President François Hollande, King Zog’s remains were disinterred and then returned to Albania.
On 17th November 2012, the Albanian state held an official ceremony for the reburial of His Majesty King Zog at the newly rebuilt Royal Family Mausoleum in Tirana. This was done as part of the commemoration of Albania’s independence centennial. The ceremony was attended by both the Presidents of Albania and Kosova, Government Ministers, foreign dignitaries and leaders from all the Albanian regions.
During the 1920s, Albania was experiencing extended periods of political turmoil and instability.
After the early elections on 25thAugust 1928, the parliamentary deputies from the southern region of Skrapar proposed that Albania should once again be declared a Monarchy. This proposal was accepted and taken under consideration.

A Statute Commission was created, which proposed a regime change from a Republic to a Constitutional Monarchy. This proposal was approved by a vote on 30thAugust 1928 by the Constitutional Assembly, which proclaimed Albania as a democratic, parliamentary constitutional hereditary Monarchy. A commission was then created which communicated the decision to President Ahmet Zogu, offering Zog the Throne.
On the 1st of September 1928, the Constitutional Assembly proclamation was unanimously put into effect. His Majesty Zog I, King of the Albanians, took the following oath on the Bible and Quran:
"I, Zog , King of the Albanians, on ascending the Throne of the Albanian Kingdom and assuming the Royal powers, swear in the presence of God Almighty that I will preserve national unity, the independence of the State, and its territorial integrity, and I will maintain and act conform the Constitution and Laws in force, having the good of the people always in mind."So Help Me God”!
40 Historical dates of the Royal family and King Zog

- 1895
8th of October, Burgajet Mati, Ahmet Xhemal Zogu was born
8th of October, Burgajet Mati, Ahmet Xhemal Zogu was born
October 8, 1895 - 1903
Zogu studied at the Galatasaray School in Istanbul
Zogu studied at the Galatasaray School in Istanbul
January 1, 1903 - 1908
his father Xhemal Pasha Zogu died
his father Xhemal Pasha Zogu died
January 1, 1908 - 1911
Zogu returned to Albania to lead a revolt against the Ottoman occupiers
Zogu returned to Albania to lead a revolt against the Ottoman occupiers
January 1, 1911 - 1912
Zogu took part in the Albanian decoration of independence, as a delegate
Zogu took part in the Albanian decoration of independence, as a delegate
January 1, 1912 - 1912
Zogu battled the Montenegrin army in the hills of Kakarriqit
Zogu battled the Montenegrin army in the hills of Kakarriqit
January 1, 1912 - 1915
6th of August, Budapest, Queen Geraldine of the Albanians is born
6th of August, Budapest, Queen Geraldine of the Albanians is born
January 1, 1915 - 1916
3rd of March, Zogu declared a national congress against all invaders
3rd of March, Zogu declared a national congress against all invaders
January 1, 1916 - 1916
December, Zogu attended the Coronation of Charles I, the Kaiser (Emperor) of Austria and King of Hungary
December, Zogu attended the Coronation of Charles I, the Kaiser (Emperor) of Austria and King of Hungary
January 1, 1916 - 1920
21-31 January, Zogu took part in the Conference of Lushnje and was made Minister of Interior
21-31 January, Zogu took part in the Conference of Lushnje and was made Minister of Interior
January 1, 1920 - 1921
April, Zogu was voted a deputy in Albania’s First free elections
April, Zogu was voted a deputy in Albania’s First free elections
January 1, 1921 - 1921
4th November, Zogu was named the commander of operations of eastern Albania against the Kingdom of Serbia
4th November, Zogu was named the commander of operations of eastern Albania against the Kingdom of Serbia
January 1, 1921 - 1923
December, Zogu was voted in as a member of the Constitutional Assembly
December, Zogu was voted in as a member of the Constitutional Assembly
January 1, 1923 - 1923
2nd of December, Zogu becomes Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior
2nd of December, Zogu becomes Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior
January 1, 1923 - 1924
25th of February, Zogu resigned as Prime minister two days after an assassination attempt on his life
25th of February, Zogu resigned as Prime minister two days after an assassination attempt on his life
January 1, 1924 - 1924
10th of June, after the uprising of Fan Noli, Zogu is forced into exile
10th of June, after the uprising of Fan Noli, Zogu is forced into exile
January 1, 1924 - 1924
24th of December, Zogu returns to Tirana with the Triumph of Legality movement
24th of December, Zogu returns to Tirana with the Triumph of Legality movement
January 1, 1924 - 1925
31st January, Ahmet Zogu is declared President of the Albanian Republic
31st January, Ahmet Zogu is declared President of the Albanian Republic
January 1, 1925 - 1928
1st of September, the national assembly declares Albania a Constitutional Monarchy, Ahmet Zogu took the title of King Zog of the Albanians
1st of September, the national assembly declares Albania a Constitutional Monarchy, Ahmet Zogu took the title of King Zog of the Albanians
January 1, 1928 - 1931
20th of February, King Zog survived an attempt on his life in Vienna
20th of February, King Zog survived an attempt on his life in Vienna
January 1, 1931 - 1934
25th of November, Queen Sadije, the Queen Mother, died at Durrës from congestion of the lungs. She was aged 58
25th of November, Queen Sadije, the Queen Mother, died at Durrës from congestion of the lungs. She was aged 58
January 1, 1934 - 1936
12th of January, Princess Senije married Prince Abid of Turkey
12th of January, Princess Senije married Prince Abid of Turkey
January 1, 1936 - 1938
27th of April, King Zog married Countess Geraldine Apponyi
27th of April, King Zog married Countess Geraldine Apponyi
January 1, 1938 - 1939
5th of April, Crown Prince Leka is born (later H.M. King Leka).
5th of April, Crown Prince Leka is born (later H.M. King Leka).
January 1, 1939 - 1939
7th of April, the Italian Fascists invaded Albania
7th of April, the Italian Fascists invaded Albania
January 1, 1939 - 1939
9th of April, King Zog is forced to exile
9th of April, King Zog is forced to exile
January 1, 1939 - 1940
27th of June, The Royal Family leaves for England from near the port of Bordeaux. Ian Fleming (later a famous author) helped facilitate the travel details
27th of June, The Royal Family leaves for England from near the port of Bordeaux. Ian Fleming (later a famous author) helped facilitate the travel details
January 1, 1940 - 1946
January, the Royal Family left England for Egypt
January, the Royal Family left England for Egypt
January 1, 1946 - 1961
9th of April, King Zog died in Paris
9th of April, King Zog died in Paris
January 1, 1961 - 1961
15th April, Prince Leka is declared King Leka of the Albanians
15th April, Prince Leka is declared King Leka of the Albanians
January 1, 1961 - 1975
7th of October, King Leka married Susan Cullen-Ward
7th of October, King Leka married Susan Cullen-Ward
January 1, 1975 - 1975
10th of October, The Royal wedding takes place in Madrid
10th of October, The Royal wedding takes place in Madrid
January 1, 1975 - 1982
26th of March, Prince Leka II was born in Johannesburg
26th of March, Prince Leka II was born in Johannesburg
January 1, 1982 - 1993
19th of November, King Leka returned to Albania for 24hours, after 54 years in exile
19th of November, King Leka returned to Albania for 24hours, after 54 years in exile
January 1, 1993 - 1997
29th of June, a Referendum on the restoration of the Monarchy was held
29th of June, a Referendum on the restoration of the Monarchy was held
January 1, 1997 - 2002
28th of June, Queen Geraldine and the Royal Family returned to Albania from South Africa
28th of June, Queen Geraldine and the Royal Family returned to Albania from South Africa
January 1, 2002 - 2002
22nd of October, Queen Geraldine died in Tirana
22nd of October, Queen Geraldine died in Tirana
January 1, 2002 - 2004
17th July, Queen Susan died in Tirana
17th July, Queen Susan died in Tirana
January 1, 2004 - 2010
16th of June, Crown Prince Leka announced his engagement to Miss Elia Zaharia, in Paris, France
16th of June, Crown Prince Leka announced his engagement to Miss Elia Zaharia, in Paris, France
January 1, 2010 - 2011
30th November, King Leka I of the Albanians died in Tirana
30th November, King Leka I of the Albanians died in Tirana
January 1, 2011 - 2012
15th of November, King Zog’s body was exhumed from the Thiais cemetery, Paris. An honor guard was provided by the French President
15th of November, King Zog’s body was exhumed from the Thiais cemetery, Paris. An honor guard was provided by the French President
January 1, 2012 - 2012
17th November, King Zog’s remains were returned to Albania, to coincide with Albania’s centennial independence celebrations
17th November, King Zog’s remains were returned to Albania, to coincide with Albania’s centennial independence celebrations
January 1, 2012 - 2016
8th of October, Crown Prince Leka II married Miss Elia Zaharia at the Royal Palace in Tirana
8th of October, Crown Prince Leka II married Miss Elia Zaharia at the Royal Palace in Tirana
January 1, 2016