Royal couple confirms breakup after eight years of marriage
Entertainment
Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia of Albania announced their split
(Web Desk) - Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia Zaharia of Albania are taking steps to end their marriage.
In a new social media post, the head of the Albanian royal family confirmed their breakup after eight years of marriage.
"Through this post, I officially inform you that Prince Leka and Elia Zharaia have agreed to end their marriage," the statement read on Instagram Monday, via translation.
"Since marriage has lost its function, they have decided to resolve it with mutual consent by starting the necessary legal procedures."
The announcement also noted that their 3-year-old daughter Princess Geraldine's spiritual and physical well-being "will remain at the center of their dedicated attention to ensure a happy and safe life."
In a separate social media post — that has since been deleted — Elia reportedly further confirmed the split.
"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 wrote on social media, per Hello!.
"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," the statement reportedly continued.
"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."
Back in 2016, the former couple shared a fairytale wedding at the former Royal Palace of Tirana.
But last October, Leka was photographed solo at the royal wedding of Princess Maria Francisca de Braganza and Duarte de Sousa Araujo Martins in Portugal.
It's unclear if Elia's title of Crown Princess of the Albanians will change after the divorce.
