King of Albania

The King of Albania (Albanian: Mbreti i Shqipërisë) was a title styled by the official ruler of Albania. While the medieval Angevin Kingdom of Albania was a monarchy, it did not encompass the entirety of modern Albania. Although discontent among Albanian nobles emerged by 1282 due to the Angevin king's unfulfilled promises, the kingdom did not end at that time. Instead, Albanian nobles sought the support of the Roman Emperor in Constantinople, but Angevin rule continued in the region for several more decades. During the Middle Ages there have been many different Albanian nobles who called themselves ruler of Albania, including Dhimitër Progoni (Prince of the Albanians & Prince of Albania), Andrea II Muzaka (Despot of Albania), Karl Thopia (Prince of Albania), and Skanderbeg (Lord of Albania).

The modern Albania has been a kingdom on two occasions.

The first occasion was after the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912, though a monarch was not chosen until 1914. Prince Wilhelm of Wied assumed the throne but was forced into exile later that year as World War I led to the occupation of Albania. The country remained politically unstable until the establishment of the Albanian Republic in 1924.

The second instance began in 1928, when President Ahmet Zogu declared himself King Zog I. However, the continuity of the monarchy was disrupted by World War II. Albania was occupied by Italy from 1939 to 1943 and later by Nazi Germany until 1944. Following a civil war, the monarchy was formally abolished in 1946 with the establishment of the People's Republic of Albania.

After the fall of communism in 1992, Albania became a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic. Although the monarchy was never restored, hereditary pretenders to the title "King of the Albanians" continue to exist.