Kingdom of Albania (1928–39)

The Albanian Kingdom (Gheg Albanian: Mbretnija Shqiptare, Standard Albanian: Mbretëria Shqiptare) was the official name of  Albania between 1928 and 1939. During this period, Albania was a de facto protectorate of the Kingdom of Italy. Albania was declared a monarchy by the Constituent Assembly, and President Ahmet Bej Zogu was declared King Zog I. The kingdom was supported by the fascist regime in Italy, and the two countries maintained close relations until Italy's sudden invasion of the country in 1939. Zog fled into exile and never saw his country again. The Communist Party of Labor of Albania liberated the country toward the end of World War II, installed a Communist dictatorship and formally deposed Zog.