Nacional

Prince Filip Karadjordjevic: I am going to marry a Belgrade girl

Princes Filip, Aleksandar and Petar are learning Serbian intensively, and they have talked to the “Nacional” about their plans to move to Belgrade

Belgrade – At the celebration of the first anniversary of the Royal Family of Karadjordjevics’ return to Yugoslavia and their White Palace, smile was all the time on the face of young Prince Filip, a twenty year old student of Spanish at a London university. The reason was quite understandable – the charming blond was literally assailed by pretty girls in their evening dresses for which they believe to be their tickets to the fairytale about live Serbian Princes.

The irresistible Prince agreed to a short interview for the “Nacional”, despite complaints from princesses-wanna-be-s, to whom he doubtless gave hope.

How do you cope with this much beauty?

- I am delighted by the beauty and intelligence of Belgrade girls. Actually, the girls in Yugoslavia are the most beautiful.

Has your heart perhaps already chosen?

- I am still “a guest” here, because I am studying Spanish and History at a university in London. Whenever my obligations allow, I come here with joy, because I like the people and the way of life here.

Are you trying to say that we are different?

- Yes, but in a most positive way. Life is slower and easier here, like in the southern Spain, for instance, and I like it very much. I am delighted by the people who can enjoy life, and people here work to live, not live to work.

How is your studying Serbian going on? Is it helpful in getting closer to the people here?

- I’m trying and I believe that next year I will be able to communicate well in Serbian. So far I understand it much better than I can speak it.

Are you getting familiar with Serbian history? Do you know that your ancestor, King Petar I, was the first democratically elected king in the world and that parliamentary democracy started with him?

- I am proud of that fact, and whenever I have time, I am glad to read or to listen to people who know local history.

So, you would be glad if your elder brother became the Crown Prince of Serbian Monarchy?

- Of course, if Serbian people decided so.

Is there a chance for you to decide one day to live in Belgrade?

- That depends on the job I will have when I finish my studies, but in any case I shall be spending most bvof my time here.

Where do you go out when you are in Yugoslavia?

- I go out to some fine cafés and rafts, I can’t remember the names at the moment, but that doesn’t matter. I go to places where I feel good.

Do you go out wearing suit only?

- I like clothes that allows me to feel comfortable.

What are the chances of a Belgrade girl to become the Princess?

- Great! I believe I shall marry a Belgrade girl!

The third in the line of succession to the throne, after Prince Petar and his twin brother Filip is Prince Aleksandar. Leaned to the stone terrace wall of the White Palace, at the night when high society celebrated his father’s birthday, he told us how he would prefer if he was sitting at one of the Belgrade rafts with his friends.

- I only recently saw there was a pool below the terrace. I definitely want to settle in Belgrade, but I am used to living alone, so I shall rent or buy a flat in the city as soon as I finish school in a few years time – says Prince Aleksandar.

The Hereditary Prince, twenty two year old Petar, is the eldest of three sons of the Crown Prince Aleksandar II from his marriage to Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Braganza. He was born in Chicago. At the moment he is studying at a well known university in Western Europe, where he is finishing graphic design and computer technology studies.

A little scarce in words compared to his brother, Petar reviles that although he is the Hereditary Prince, he dreams of a normal person’s life, without protocol and strict rules.

- All my life my family has tried to live a normal, everyday life. That is what I want, too. A normal family and friends. I spent the last year working in Spain in graphic design, and I have little time for Belgrade, but one thing is certain. I want to live here. In a couple of years it will be reality- says Petar, who spends most of his free time drawing and painting.

We talked to the Princes in English, but we made a deal that next time we speak Serbian, the language that they say they are intensively learning.