Geraldine of Albania's Royal Tiara

The Regalia of Albania (Albanian: Regalia e Shqipërisë) is a royal regalia that existed during the Albanian monarchy. The Regalia from the Zogu family consisted of royal symbols and artifacts that represented the monarchy's power and heritage. These regal symbols were emblematic of Albania's monarchy during the reign of the House of Zogu and held significant historical and cultural value for the country.

Arms of Skanderbeg

The helmet (crown) of the Albanian warrior king, Skanderbeg, made in 1460.

The helmet (crown) of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, was created for the medieval Feudal Lord in the 15th century, was smuggled out of Albania by members of the Kastrioti noble family. After the Occupation from the Ottoman Empire. Skanderbeg's helmet is made of white metal, adorned with a strip dressed in gold. On its top lies the head of a horned goat made of bronze, also dressed in gold. The bottom part bears a copper strip adorned with a monogram separated by rosettes. The crown found its way into the collections of the Habsburg dynasty via an Italian noble family and it currently resides in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna, Austria.[1] In 1931, King Zog I made a very rare foreign tour and visited Vienna in an unsuccessful attempt to regain the crown, for a future coronation he even considered giving himself the regnal name "Skanderbeg III" when being crowned. Skanderbeg's helmet gave inspiration to the many Tiaras and Diadems that would be commissioned by the Zogu Family.

House of Zogu Regalia

The Regalia for the Zogu Family was created when Zog I of Albania in 1928 self-proclaimed himself King of the Albanians and began his rule. He commissioned a regal ensemble for his coronation, featuring rose-colored breeches, gold spurs, and a gold crown weighing seven and five-eighths pounds.[2] That same year there were tiaras commissioned for Zog I of Albania sisters. They were made for Princess Senije, Princess Myzejen, Princess Ruhije and Princess Maxhide. While Princess Adile and Princess Nafije did not receive any tiaras due to being already married when their brother Zog I of Albania became King. In 1930 the diadem of the Princesses of Albania was created by Töpfert Vienna. It was created for one of Zog I of Albania sisters the princesses but nothing further is known about the jewel. Its whereabouts are unknown today.[3] Shortly after getting engaged then getting married to Zog I of Albania. Geraldine of Albania received the Royal Diamond Tiara at the wedding in 1938. Her tiara had 28.05 carats of old European and single-cut diamonds and 4.80 carats of baguette diamonds, the tiara has a floral base relating to her being called the "The White Rose of Hungary" and is topped with a diamond ram's head relating to Skanderbeg.[4][5] In 1939 the House of Zogu was deposed by Victor Emmanuel III of Italy during the Italian invasion of 1939. Victor assumed the Albanian throne. While in their exile King Zog was suffering from stomach cancer and required treatment for which the family had little money. Queen Geraldine was forced to sell most of her regalia. Including the Oak Leave tiara and Floral tiara as well as the jewelry except she kept earrings.[6] In 1961 King Zog died in exile and was succeeded as claimant to the throne and head of the house of Zogu was his only son Leka, Crown Prince of Albania who became self-proclaimed King of the Albanians. In the early 1970s the Queen Susan tiara diadem was commissioned by Leka, Crown Prince of Albania and designed by the Iranian imperial family. The tiara was first worn by Geraldine of Albania at the wedding of her son Leka, Crown Prince of Albania and Susan Cullen-Ward. It was then given to Susan Cullen-Ward when she became queen.[4][7] After the Passing of Leka, Crown Prince of Albania, Leka, Prince of Albania became the sole heir to the Albanian Crown. On October 8, 2016 Leka, Prince of Albania married Elia, Princess of Albania where she became Crown Princess Elia of the Albanians. She inherited the Tiara that was worn by Susan Cullen-Ward and Geraldine of Albania.[8][7]

Royal Regalia of the House of Zogu

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Skanderbeg".
  2. ↑ "Infobits". Frosina. Archived from the original on 2008-06-16.
  3. ↑ "Ram of Skanderbeg Köchert - Diamond Tiara | Geraldine of Albania | Crown | Royal Jewels".
  4. 1 2 "Royal collections".
  5. ↑ "Queen Geraldine of the Albanian Jewels |Tiara with diamonds| Royal Jewelry | ROYAL MAGAZIN". 18 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Në emër të dashurisë – Historia e bizhuterive të Mbretëreshës Geraldinë (Foto)".
  7. 1 2 "Royal Wedding Jewels: Albania's Pretender Weds in Tirana". 8 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "The Royal House – Albanian Royal Family".
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