 During World War II , the Ritz became integral to political and social life among the elite , and a number of eminent royals , aristocrats and politicians moved into the hotel . Camilla Russell , the wife of writer Christopher Sykes , stated that the Ritz " enjoyed a tremendous vogue during the war and was , even more than ever , much used as a meeting place " , and at night was " crowded yet somehow safe " . Angela , Countess of Antrim , <unk> 's sister , remarked that the Ritz was the ideal meeting place for " gathering news of husbands at the wars " . Emerald Cunard took up residence in the Ritz for a period , but later moved to the Dorchester . In the summer of 1940 , the Albanian royal family , including King Zog I , Queen Geraldine , Crown Prince Leka , the King 's six sisters , two nieces , three nephews and others moved into the hotel and were given their own floor , escorted by Chamberlain , the Albanian diplomats from Paris , and numerous bodyguards . Zog brought the royal gold and jewels with him , which were kept in the storeroom of the Ritz before being deposited in the Bank of England . 
