Zog I of Albania for such modernization was high, though. Although nominally a constitutional monarch, in practice Zog retained the dictatorial powers he had enjoyed as president. Thus, in effect, Albania remained a military dictatorship. In 1938, Zog opened the borders of Albania to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany. Although born as an aristocrat and hereditary Bey, King Zog was somewhat ignored by other monarchs in Europe because he was a self-proclaimed monarch who had no links to any other European royal families. Nonetheless, he did have strong connections with Muslim royal families in the Arab World, particularly Egypt, whose ruling dynasty
Coronation of the Thai monarch King Rama II and King Rama III, in 1809 and 1824, followed closely those of Rama I, and no deviation was recorded. When King Rama IV came to the throne in 1851, new elements were included in the coronation ceremony. Since ancient times the anointment ceremony alone was considered the supreme event of the coronation. Under King Rama IV, the crowning of the monarch became its equal, if not more important. This was due to the influence of European coronations. The King also increased the role of the Buddhist Sangha within the ceremony by incorporating the recitation of the "Paritta