PRINCE PHILIP KARADJORDJEVIC SUPPORTS THE PROJECT OF CATALOGING OF ART IMPORTANT FOR SERBIAN HISTORY

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25 year old Prince Philip Karadjordjevic stayed at the beginning of September at the home of his father Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine at Dedinje in Belgrade. The young Prince, twin brother of Alexander III, by character and sensibility is very different from his five minute younger brother. He graduated from the prestigious UCL – University College London, where he studied humanities and he also specializes in Spanish history.

- It is a high-quality University, with excellent studying conditions, where there is a positive and stimulative atmosphere. During the time of my studies, I made many friends. In London, there are various, well-stocked libraries with an impressive number of titles, and I used them to the maximum to expand and enrich my knowledge. I have learned many things at the Faculty, especially about life. Now I am concentrating on business.

Prince Philip lives in the City of London, on a hill, not far from Liverpool Street. The apartment is equipped in a modern way, and is near his workplace, which is important to him because it saves time. In the bank where he is employed, he has gained experience in all sectors of business, and in that way he figured which areas suit him the best. Currently he is on vacation and thinking about a new job. Prince Philip also completed a real estate sales course, and he is active in supporting the project whose patron is his father, and where very serious action has been undertaken. The project of the Royal Art Collection encompasses cataloguing, inventory and examining of the art works that have been placed at the Royal and White Palaces. The collection of art works contains significant samples of the work of Nicolas Poussin, Palma il Vecchio, Xaver Franz Winterhalter, Simon Vouet, Antonio Canaletto, and others. The Collection was created during two important periods: the reign of His Majesty King Alexander, during the 20s and 30s in the previous century, as well as the period after World War Two Yugoslavia, enriched by key works of Yugoslav modern art.

Considering that his great grandmother Queen Maria was an exceptional woman, who above all loved and appreciated art, it is no surprise that Philip inherited an interest in nice things.

- In our family everyone is interested in art. I got the basis from my father Alexander and my mother, Her Imperial and Royal Highness Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Braganca, who are passionate admirerers of art. The biggest artist in our family is my eldest brother Peter, who studied graphic design. He makes phenomenal drawings and is extremely talented in art.

The main goal of the project which Prince Philip is encouraging is to create a computer catalogue of the Collection and to register the art works as our cultural heritage, as well as to examine the history and policy of collecting arts. As soon as the project is over, the Collection will have the first digital and printed catalogue with accompanying texts.

Philip’s favourite room is the basement in the Royal Palace which was painted by Russian immigrants, upon the command of his great grandfather, King Alexander I.

- In 2001, when I first went through the rooms of the Royal Palace, I was breathless when I saw the basement. I have seen many museums, galleries and family homes worldwide, but nowhere have I seen such beauty. I tell all my friends whom I invite to visit me at my parental home, with great excitement about all the rooms, beginning with the Room of Whispers, followed by the cinema room, to the former wine cellar which has been adapted into a pool room.

Philip very much appreciates what his father Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine Karadjordjevic are doing for Serbia.

- My mother Katherine is very hard working and persistant in everything she does, especially humaniatrian work. She does everything with a lot of enthusiasm, good will and joy. She has done a lot of good things so far, my father supports her very much, and I am with them. I try to help, as much as my spare time allows me to. A lot of art works and rare books have disappeared after World War Two from the Royal Collection. We want the art works to be catalogued, because there are hundreds of beautiful paintings, statues, and books that are very important works for the history of our people.

Original Text: Jelena Djokic Original Photos: Sasa Dzambic