Prince Philip Karadjordjevic

Adrenalin in blue blood

Blue-eyed prince enjoys extreme sports, but finance is his profession. He lives in London, visits Belgrade whenever possible, and is fascinated by India. He is content with his love life, but he is still not planning to get married and have children

Philip Karadjordjevic is the son of Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and his first wife, Princess Maria de Gloria of Orleans and Braganza. Prince Philip is a grandson of King Peter and Queen Alexandra. His Godparents are Greek King Constantine and Spanish Queen Sofia. He was born 27 years ago in America, in the small town of Fairfax in Virginia. He has a twin brother Alexander and older brother Peter. Still, his family tree is known here to us, as Philip admits that no one, except his closest friends, know he is “blue blooded”, and when not in Serbia he leads an ordinary life. Life in London, however that many of us could wish for, mainly for the many travels and elite education

* What are you currently doing?

Currently I find myself changing careers.I am moving away from the hospitality world and going back to finance. Two years ago my departure of the finance world could not have come at a better time; I had left just before start of the recent global recession. However, after a couple of years studying and working in the hospitality industry I arrived to the decision of furthering my professional career in the finance world. Nonetheless, the experience and knowledge gained in those two years in hospitality will always be very valuable for the rest of my life. I am very interested in many types of art; I take great pleasure in paintings, from the classics to the contemporary. I really enjoy music, from classical to modern, both electronically and organically produced. I love film, from art house and film noir to Hollywood. And of course picking up a good book can also be very enjoyable. To list all my favourite artists, directors, writers, producers etc would take up so much time. I love sports, both watching and partaking. I love football, tennis and basketball. I really enjoy surfing and snowboarding, I have travelled to many destinations to practice both.

* Where do you live and where would you like to live?

- Currently I live in London, I love it there, but I also like to come to Belgrade, where my family and friends are.

* Do you have friends among the Spanish Royal Family?

- I do have friends within the Spanish Royal Family, they are not close friends yet they are and will always be good friends. I have great respect and admiration for King Juan Carlos. Since 1975 King Juan Carlos’s presence and work has been a keystone to Spain’s transformation from a fascist state to one of the world’s finest nations. Of course Spain is not entirely a perfect nation, it still has its problems, and yet over recent history it has managed to find compromises to its indifferences and, better yet, collaborate with itself in order to ensure its democratic, political and economical progression.

* Do you have any advantages of being of “blue blood”?

- In my experience, in everyday life, been blue blooded neither carries advantages nor disadvantages. The ups and downs only become apparent once your title becomes known. When I’m away from Serbia I live a pretty normal life, apart from my close friends, no one really knows of my title.

* Were you overprotected as a child and adolescent?

-My parents have given us our own independency since the age 18. Before that they were protective but never overprotective. My parents were and still are great parents.

* How much are you linked with your twin brother?

-Like all twins, we have a telepathic connection. No just joking! Our character and looks could not be more different yet we have a great bond between us. Not only are we good brothers, we are great friends too.

* How well do you know Belgrade and Serbia?

-I do know Serbia very well. Ever since my family’s return in 2001 I have travelled our beautiful country extensively.

* What do you like here and what would you like to change?

- I very much like it when people, no matter of what cultural backgrounds, religious or political beliefs, and sexual orientation, respect and get along with one another. I like it when people understand and accept that we are all unique individuals with a free will to shape our own ideas and beliefs. I love open-mindedness, and really like it when people don’t take themselves too seriously and if they can laugh at themselves. And what would I change? The opposites of what I just said.

* I see myself in the future as?

- An astronaut. I hope that one day I will fulfil my childhood dream. Realistically, in the future I wish to see myself as a successful and content person.

* Having travelled a lot, which country fascinated you?

- Many countries have fascinated me. However, I would say that India, beside our country Serbia, has probably left the biggest impression on me. It is impossible not to be amazed by India, it is such a beautiful, rich, vibrant, colourful… I could keep on listing many more descriptive adjectives; it really was an assault on my senses. India offers itself in such a dizzying, creative burst of cultures and religions, races and classes. Its confusion and mix somehow manages to coexist in somewhat harmony, there was a real sense of organized chaos. Also every feature of the country presents itself on a massive, exaggerated scale. I was truly impressed with India, and I look forward to returning one day.

* Are you content with your love life?

- I am happy with my love life and that’s all I need to say.

* Do you think about marriage and children?

No, not yet. At the moment I want to commit myself to work and to my career. I would like to establish a good profound base in my life, before I even consider thinking about marriage or children