Coffee with

HRH Crown Princess Katherine and HRH Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic

THIS IS OUR HOME

The Royal Couple is enjoying the beauty of their Residence on Dedinje hill, which they opened for citizens eager for knowledge of our culture and history. They are most happy when their children are with them and the most important joint ritual is their breakfast. As every family, they are struggling with the bills for electricity and water.

On that Saturday, October 10th, we were not aware that we were enjoying the last summer day of this autumn, but we surely spent it Royally! We were sitting in the Royal Palace in Dedinje, with the wonderful view of Belgrade stretching ahead of us, served by silent maids, while "Puls" was drinking coffee and having a conversation with the Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević and his wife Princess Katherine. The Royal couple was in a very good mood despite the fact that they woke up early that morning.

- Before your arrival, we had a working breakfast with the Deputy Minister of Health in our Government, City Secretary, chiefs of gynaecology, oncology and radiology of the Clinical Centre in Belgrade and three very important doctors from Chicago. We discussed many important matters regarding health, mutual cooperation, but also the beauty of Dedinje and Belgrade – explained Princess Katherine.

- The doctors from Chicago could not believe how beautiful the weather in Belgrade is, since it already started snowing there. Today is October 10th, and it seems as it is summer!

We shall take advantage of this beautiful afternoon and go for a walk, as we have a beautiful park. The air is wonderful, fresh and the walk will really be of benefit for us – continued Prince Alexander, who also commended their small rituals.

The Crown Prince and his wife, prior to all the commitments waiting for them for the day, have breakfast that Princess Katherine is personally prepares for them.

- That is very important for us and has already become a tradition. The mutual beginning of the day gives us great energy, and sometimes it is the only opportunity when we can spend some time alone. I wake up before him, sometimes as early as 6 am, because our commitments begin at 8 am. He likes eggs for breakfast, but domestic eggs, so we have our own hens here and I collect the eggs before breakfast.

Princess Katherine says that even when she does not have any planned commitments during the day, she thinks about work most of the time, especially the humanitarian actions that are in progress or that are being planned. The Prince is the one who reminds her that she needs to rest as well, especially when they are in Belgrade.

- We often plan to watch a movie and eat popcorn, however it eventually all comes down to fantasy. We spend more time talking about it, even come to an agreement which movie to see, but we just do not realize our plans. It is however nice just to fantasize, but we should try and make our fantasies come true sometimes, right? – asked the Princess her husband.

- We really should, you are right, but we always have more interesting commitments. Do you know what else is interesting? Since we have arrived here, we have come across many art works, but none of them were catalogued. It, for example, just said “in this room there are two paintings and three chairs”, but no one knew their origin. Then we made an art archive that included all data, as it is important to have everything documented. This is really a small Versailles and after a long time it stopped being a forbidden city. It is open to everyone who wants to come and see the beauty of these Palaces, and I am very happy that people do come every day for a tour and want to know the history.

The Maintenance of the Royal Compound is very expensive and strenuous, and the Karađorđević family admit that it had been a very big problem when they arrived and still is.

- The Palaces get old, just like people. This Royal Palace was renovated 30 years ago, while the White Palace never had a restoration, so it is in a bad shape. It leaks, which is bad for the artwork there. It would be nice if the Government would help with these issues, as it is among other things a historical museum as well – said Crown Prince Alexander, while Princess Katherine reminds him that not a day goes by that workman are not invited to fix something.

- No one knows in what shape our home would be today if my husband had not put his own assets in fixing it. You know, every family has a fund for their children, for their scholarships, for their future, and I was very sad when Alexander had to use the children’s funds to invest in the Palaces. Not only that, but the money was used to pay for all repairs, electricity bills, water bills, heating, as this is a house just like any other house and we receive bills that need to be paid, and nobody had done that for years.

- This is our home, not a hotel. We live on the first floor where it is very comfortable and cosy, a real home ambience. My grandfather is responsible for this ambiance, as he hired the best architects from Serbia and Russia in order to make a good home for his family. The White Palace is more classical, while here it is more comfortable for living. We have our own rooms, sons as well, and there are several guests’ rooms, as well as a terrace where we like to sit and from where a beautiful view of the park stretches.

The Crown Prince and his wife travel a lot, not only abroad but in Serbia as well.

- We want to get to know Serbia and our people. We have travelled many kilometres in the past eight-nine years, meeting people that always give us a warm welcome and prove what a welcoming and good nation we are. I am normally always sad when people live hard, when I see the horrors of bombing.

- I am always inspired when I see how many talented people this country has. It is amazing! I feel sad that the rest of the world cannot see that, but we are trying to show them.

The previous day Crown Prince Alexander was in Marseille and at Oplenac, for the commemoration of 75 years of his grandfather’s, King Alexander I Karađorđević, assassination.

- Yesterday was a truly remarkable day. I have never been in Marseille and I was very excited to see where the assassination took place. I paid a visit to the monument, which is big to my big surprise, laid a wreath, and then went to the City Hall where my grandfather was taken and laid on a sofa after his assassination. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic accompanied me, and gave me great support during that very emotional moment. That same afternoon we flew back to Serbia, and from the airport we went straight to Oplenac, where the King is buried. And it was very beautiful there as well. I thought about my father Peter, who was only 11 years old at the time. I can say that it was a very important day for me and I am grateful to everyone, especially President Boris Tadić, who was with us, and everyone else: the government, ministers, and army. Everyone was amazing, I am truly delighted. On the same day, we went to Avala, to the Unknown Soldiers monument, and I believe that no other country has such a monument, on top of a mountain, overlooking the whole city.

- I am very proud of my husband and everyday I see how the Karadjordjevic dynasty was important for this country, how much they have done for it. My husband not only carries his grandfather’s name, but resembles him in many ways, especially in regard to Serbia and Serbian people. He is happiest when he sees progress in the country and lives for the day when Serbia will become a member of the European Union, being proud that Serbia is working very hard towards it and daily looking for solutions to help speed up the process. He is always wondering what more can we do for the country, and motivates me to work harder. He is so persistent that I need to excel next to him. Constantly talking and dreaming of better life, better Serbia, I honestly believe that he is a true gift for this country.

- Now you have touched me! Thank you – said the Crown Prince with unhidden emotions and gave his wife a hug.

- She also does many wonderful things for people.

- You gave me a chance to do it. People sometimes ask me what the most distinguished characteristics that my husband has are. You know that a monarchy is not what it used to be. It is not enough that he is King Peter’s son, but it is also important what he is like in private, and what he can contribute to his people. Alexander is just, respectful to all, has energy that brings people closer together, and always sees the good in people. Beside that, he has big credibility and integrity worldwide. I think that people are not aware how many contacts he has, among State Governments, State Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Kings! When we celebrated his 50th birthday, a wonderful ceremony at “Claridge’s” hotel in London, where he was also born, 400 invitees came to the party, out of which 100 from Royal families. All Kings and Queens in the world have come to my husband’s birthday, including Queen Elizabeth II, his Godmother. When Alexander was born, she was a Princess, and her father King George, was King Peter’s godfather. American Senators, as well as Presidents of major world corporations were also present. I believe that says enough about my husband’s reputation in the world.

It has been a long time (perhaps never) since we have heard such beautiful words spoken of one woman’s husband, even though she is a princess! Even the Prince agreed with us and spontaneously returned the compliments.

- Believe me, she is unbelievable. She is always focused, reminds me of things I need to do, she handles everything. I often tell her to slow down, rest, as she tends to wake up in the middle of the night to send someone an e-mail, make a phone call.

- In a family everything depends on a woman. How the woman places herself that is how her marriage will be, her children will be, her life in general. A woman must make her priorities, and put everything and everyone at the right place. Love, care, respect, affection, sacrifice, it does not cost anything and means a lot. Women like to talk, but it is even nicer when they know how to listen, to hear what their husbands are saying, to understand, be happy for their success, anyone’s success in general – the Princess has revealed small secrets of successful marriage, and beside the beautiful sunny morning the Crown Prince ended this conversation with the theme that interests him most: Serbia in the European Union.

- I think that Serbia will make a few steps further by the end of the year; we are all doing our best. I am sorry that only one country is holding us back, Holland. It is a pity to prevent so many people to be members of the European Union. That hurts me. I am trying in my own way to convince other foreign countries to put pressure on Holland to change its mind. Other countries in the region must also enter the European Union that is how we will be strong again. If the whole region is stable, chances for better quality of life are greater. We must all be in the first class, as we are part of Europe.