HE MAY sound more like a cartoon villain, but Albania’s King Zog found wartime sanctuary at Parmoor House in Frieth.

This insight comes in historian Neil Rees’ second book, A Royal Exile, which explores the ruler’s five-year stay in the Chilterns.

After being ousted by Mussolini in 1939 King Zog – along with 35 family members, advisors and servants – travelled through Europe before briefly settling in England.

The inspiration for the work came when Mr Rees, 42, learnt of King Zog’s Frieth existence while researching his first book.

“The story is just great, the name is great and the idea that there really was a character called King Zog who lived in our area was just too good to let pass by,” said Mr Rees.

“I have always been interested in local history – what I like to find is a really interesting story that no-one has researched.”

To help piece King Zog’s story together, Mr Rees made a few trips to Albania and even interviewed his son, King Leka, who was just two-years-old when he came to south Bucks. “His son, who is now 71, remembers growing up here,” explained Mr Rees.

“He doesn’t remember Albania – but he remembers going for walks here, his governess and playing outside.”

And Mr Rees’ book has found favour among the Albanian royal family as well as the Albanian community in the UK.

“For them [the royal family] it’s good, they’ve had 45 years of bad press in Albania because the Communists used to criticise anyone who was not one of them,” said Mr Rees. “It’s also been very well accepted by the Albanian community here because it traces the origins of the ethnic community in England.”

And Mr Rees – whose first historical novel was The Czech Connection – will welcome any extra information which will add to King Zog’s Frieth story for future reprints.

A Royal Exile - King Zog and Queen Geraldine of Albania, including their wartime exile in the Thames Valley and Chilterns is available in local bookshops.