Royal Funeral 2011

King Zog's son King Leka died on Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Tirana, aged 72. There was a state funeral and a national day of mourning for Saturday 3rd December 2011. He was honoured with the respect and attributes of a king not in office. Flags flew at half mast and there was a minute’s silence at noon. The funeral was held in the Parliament and was attended by relatives of King Leka, foreign ambassadors, Albanian government officials and the President of Kosovo. A procession led to the Parliament where thousands of people, many in regional costume, paid their respects to the closed coffin. Religious representatives made prayers over the coffin. The Mayor of Tirana gave a speech about King Leka's legacy. The burial took place at the Sharra Cemetery in Tirana and King Leka was buried beside Queen Susan and Queen Geraldine. At the grave King Leka’s son, Prince Leka II, made an oath to serve Albania and continue his father's work The ceremony was broadcast live on Albanian public television, and featured in the world's press. Photographs by Neil Rees