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 was succeeded by his only son King Vajiralongkorn whose coronation is scheduled to be held sometime after the completion of the funeral of his predecessor. The Thai language term for the coronation is "Rachaphisek" (ราชาภิเษก) or "Rajyabhisheka" (राज्याभिषेक), a Vedic term for an anointment (see "Abhisheka") of a monarch. The term preserves the fact that the anointment was once the most essential component of the ceremony. Today, however, the Thai coronation ceremony incorporates many rites including the anointment, the enthronement, the crowning, and the investiture of the monarch. The succession of a Thai king is not automatic, and was not