Prince Leka in "Sky News" talks about his Australian origin from his mother: Cousins push me to come for a visit

2025-08-01 21:40:25Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Prince Leka in "Sky News" talks about his Australian origin from his
Prince Leka

Prince Leka II gave a long interview to the famous Australian newspaper Skynews, where he mentioned, among other things, his Australian roots from his mother.

While Leka II attributes to his father, Leka I, a drive to serve the country, he was equally influenced by his "much-loved" mother, Princess Susan.

Leka II says he is "very proud" of his Australian heritage and attributes his late mother's Australian roots to an uncanny ability to "read the room".

Born Susan Barbara Cullen-Ward in Sydney, Leka II's mother came from a good family in the eastern suburbs before meeting the Crown Prince of Albania in exile at a dinner in the mid-1970s.

The couple married in a small civil ceremony in Biarritz in 1975 and lived in exile in Spain, Zimbabwe and most recently South Africa, where they welcomed Leka II in 1982.

"My mother was a fourth-generation Australian," he said.

"I believe — and I'm not sure about that, so maybe a verification can be done — that she was a descendant of Banjo Paterson."

Leka II says she hopes to visit Australia soon and reconnect with cousins and relatives from the Cullen and Ward families.

"My cousins are pushing me to come for a visit, hopefully next year," he said.

"I know my mother has always wanted me to visit Australia."

Full interview


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