Skënder Zogu

Skënder Zogu (born June 3, 1933) is an Albanian author and member of the House of Zogu. As the son of Prince Xhelal Zogu, he is second in the line of succession to the former Albanian throne after his first cousin once removed, Leka, Crown Prince of Albania.

Skënder Zogu
Born (1933-06-03) June 3, 1933
Davos, Switzerland
OccupationAuthor
Known forSecond in line of succession to the former Albanian throne
Notable work
Një jetë në shërbim të kombit shqiptar-kujtime mërgimi
Parent(s)Prince Xhelal Zogu
Faika Minxhalliu
RelativesZog I of Albania (uncle);
Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (first cousin once removed)

Biography

Zogu was born to Prince Xhelal Zogu (half-brother of Zog I of Albania) and Faika Minxhalliu on June 3, 1933 in Davos, Switzerland.[1] He studied at the Huddersfield College of Technology, which later became the University of Huddersfield. During his time at university, he was the vice president and then president of the Student Union.[2] After graduating with a degree in Textile and Color Chemistry, Zogu worker for a period of time for Francolor.[2] He went on to work as a textile sales manager at KVK Danemark.

On April 9, 1961, Zogu was present when Zog I of Albania died while in exile at Hôpital Foch in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Zogu organized the funeral, which was held two days later.[3] Zogu recounts his uncle dying in a memoir released in 2017.[4] The book, which has a translated title of A life in the service of the Albanian nation - memories of exile, was given a positive review by writer Roland Qafoku. Qafoku wrote, "The book has an unprecedented gallery of characters. With the good, the bad, the positive and the negative, Skender Zogu in fact, in this book, has brought out their best sides... The story of the royal family and the Zog kingdom itself would be incomplete without this book!"[4] Sprint News stated the book was "A brilliant example of approaching the truth... Skender Zogu writes with simplicity and truth about the experiences of the time."[5] The book received positive reviews from other sources as well.[6] The book will be released in English in 2020.

On November 10, 1962, Zogu married Jacqueline Cosme. Together they had daughter Virginie Alexandra Geraldine Zogu, born January 25, 1963 in Compiègne, France.[7] Virginie married Mr. Raphaël de Urresti, who was born 1959.[8]

From 1980 until 1995 Zogu was the head of the Albanian Royal Court in exile Press Office. In 1993, he returned to Albania after living in exile for 54 years.[9]

On November 16, 2012, Zogu joined Ambassador Ylljet Aliçka to repatriate the remains of Zog I from France to Albania, where he was placed in the royal family mausoleum.[10]

Zogu is known for protecting the legacy of the royal family members. In 2017, Zogu criticized Albanian politician Alfred Peza who had written disparaging comments about the royal family. Zogu stated Peza "was a man without culture and without character" who had no chance of meeting the royal family or entering the palace.[11] In 2018, he defended the former king against statements Zog I did not know how to write in Albanian.[12][13]

Zogu retired in 1999.[9] As of 2019, he lives in Chantilly, France.[2] He is active in the Legality Movement Party, a conservative monarchist party in Albania.[14]

Bibliography
  • Zogu, Skender. Një jetë në shërbim të kombit shqiptar-kujtime mërgimi[15] (translated: A life in the service of the Albanian nation - memories of exile).

Filmography
YearTitleRoleRef.
2016Channel One: Debati ne Channel OneSelf[16]

Dynastic honours

Further reading

Historie de l'Albanie et de sa Maison Royale 1443-2007 by Dr. Patrice Najbor[18] (translated: The History of Albania and its Royal Family 1443-2007)

References
  1. Almanach de Gotha: Annual Genealogical Reference. 2004. p. 18. ISBN 9780953214259.
  2. Zhana, Elona (July 7, 2019). "Skender Zogu, një jetë në shërbim të kombit" (in Albanian). Tha. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  3. "Zog, dernier roi des Albanais, a quitté le cimetière parisien" (in French). Le Parisien. November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  4. Qafoku, Roland (January 15, 2018). "HISTORITË ME PIKANTE/Libri që kthjellon për të gjithë oborrin e mbretit Zog" (in Albanian). Droni.ai. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  5. "NGA GUXIM ALIMANI/ SKËNDER ZOGU-HISTORIA QË VJEN E PA RETUSHUAR!" (in Albanian). Sprint. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  6. Alimani, Guxim (December 17, 2017). "Skënder Zogu - Histori pa pranga!" (in Albanian). Bota Sot. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  7. Dedet, Joséphine (2016). Géraldine: Egy magyar nő Albánia trónján. Europa Publishing House. ISBN 9789634052814. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  8. Shehu, Ferid (August 30, 2018). "Një jetë në shërbim të kombit, Kujtime mërgimi" (in Albanian). Mediat Shqiptare. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  9. "Chantilly : à 79 ans, il peut devenir roi d'Albanie" (in French). Le Parisien. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  10. Burimi, Genc; Kutra, Artan. "L'Albanie complète une partie du puzzle de son histoire en rapatriant la dépouille du roi Zog 1er" (in French). RFI. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  11. "Nipi i Zogut, përgjigje për Pezën, a ka pasur flirt të komunistit në pallatin mbretëror" (in Albanian). Droni.ai. November 20, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  12. Lumezi, Aristir (December 24, 2018). ""Mbreti nuk dinte të shkruante në shqip", Skënder Zogu polemizon me Ilir Demalinë: Çmenduri…" (in Albanian). Panorama. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  13. ""Mbreti nuk dinte të shkruante në shqip", Skënder Zogu polemizon me Ilir Demalinë" (in Albanian). VOAL: Voice of Albanians. December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  14. "Kreu i ri i PLL: Nuk do e lidhim më fatin me Partinë Demokratike" (in Albanian). Tema Online. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  15. "Goditja e ambasadës shqiptare në Paris, Hasan Luçi akuzon për terrorizëm Skënder Zogun" (in Albanian). Shqiperiajone. May 27, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  16. "Dëshmitari i fundit i familjes mbretërore/Zogu: Më mirë një Shqiëpri me Enver Hoxhën se sa unë të bashkëpuoj me Titon dhe serbët" (in Albanian). CNA. October 7, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  17. "Orders Ceremony". Albanian Royal Family - Official Website. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  18. Najbor, Patrice. Historie de l'Albanie et de sa Maison Royale 1443-2007 (in French). Je publie.
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