GALA DINNER IN HONOR OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE 60TH BIRTHDAY OF
HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II

Belgrade, 16 July 2005 – On the occasion of the 60th birthday of HRH Crown Prince Alexander, a gala dinner was organized at The Royal Palace tonight. Beside HRH Crown Princess Katherine and TRH Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander, and the members of the family, it was attended by many dignitaries from all over the world, representatives of political, cultural and public life of our country, members of the Advisory Bodies of The Crown and the friends and admirers of The Royal Family.

The birthday celebration was heightened by Their Majesties King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden (His Majesty is Head of State of Sweden), His Royal Highness The Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (Head of State of Luxembourg), Their Serene Highnesses Prince Philip-Erasmus and Princess Isabella of Lichtenstein (His Serene Highness is the brother of His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II, the Head of State of Lichtenstein), Their Royal Highnesses Duchess and Duke Braganza (Portugal), Her Royal Highness Princess Chantal of France and Baron Francois-Xavier de Samboucy de Sorgue, Her Royal Highnesss Princess Katarina and Mr. Desmond de Silva (Princess Katarina is the daughter of Prince Tomislav), Their Royal Highnesses Prince Serge Karadjordjevic and Princess Elleonora (Prince Serge is the son of Prince (Knez) Alexander Paul), Former President and Mrs. Frederic William de Klerk of South Africa, former Prime Minister The Hon Sir David and Lady Gibbons Lord Janner of Braunstone QC (House of Lords (Labour), Lord and Lady Renwick (Lord Renwick House of Lords (Labour), Mr. James D. Wolfensohn (Former President of the World Bank).

The invitees were welcomed by Their Royal Highnesses at the Blue Room of The Royal Palace, and then had cocktails at the lower terrace of The Royal Palace.

At the beginning of the program, the present were addressed by Mr. Dragomir Acovic, member of the Privy Council, on behalf of the advisory bodies of the Crown. He spoke about the history of the Karadjordjevic Family, and the sixty years of life of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II. In conclusion, Mr. Acovic said: ’’Your Royal Highness, this jubilee does not finish a story. It gives it a new energy and brings new hope. To be a descendant and an heir of our Kings is a glorious burden, particularly in time in which we are, and in temptations that seem endless. Such time requires strength, vision and dedication“.

After that there was a première of a short documentary film about The Crown Prince, and then, followed by music and dance of the Academic Cultural Society “Lola“ and the National Ensemble “Kolo“, the gala dinner started at the upper terrace of The Royal Palace.

At the end of the dinner, the Academic Choir “Obilic“, conducted by Mrs. Darinka Matic-Marovic, performed the Serbian anthem “ God of Justice“ after which The Crown Prince addressed the guests and numerous media representatives.

On this occasion, we enclose The Crown Prince’s speech in full.

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Serene Highnesses, our Excellences, Your Eminences, Your Graces, Reverend Fathers, Imams, Efendi, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have all brought me great joy with your presence at my birthday this evening, here in the home of my ancestors, in the country that was created with the sacrifice of my ancestors and the ancestors of my countryman and my contemporaries, in the city that became capital six centuries ago, and that measures its history in millenniums.

Tomorrow, God willing, I shall be sixty. It is not little, for at that age a person knows both himself and the world around him, knows his strength and his weaknesses, and has gained experience and by the virtue of maturity, but continues to learn something new everyday. Indeed it is not old either, for one’s life work is not complete. The need and will to create and to continue work goes on.

It is a good moment to examine one’s life and work that justifies one’s existence in this world. For someone who, by the fate of history and circumstances, was born in exile, and who was labeled as an enemy of the state at the ripe age of two, the fact that I celebrate my sixtieth birthday in my homeland, in my home, with my People and among my friends from all over the world, is an emotional moment, it is something that I have dreamt of all my life and something that many do not live to see. For that, I am grateful to God and obliged to those who embellish tonight’s celebration and to those who unfortunately are no longer with us, but whose spirit will never abandon us, as well as to those who tonight are with us in their thoughts, with their good wishes and hope that the future is ours and that we are worthy of it.

We have struggled, and we shall continue the never ending work for justice, for democracy, for human rights, for freedom, for the respect of all religions, for the respect of ethnic origin, for jobs and social services, for a country of equal citizens, that is equal to other countries, for the community of peace, harmony and prosperity. These are not just phrases; this is an pledge and an answer to history and to the future.

Tonight, surrounded by my family, I thank my wife and my children for all the love and support they have always given me, I thank my relatives from the Royal Houses who have given me the great honour with their presence and for their warm wishes. I thank the highest state officials of Serbia and Montenegro, religious leaders, diplomatic corps and all of you who have made this evening a very memorable one, but above all - I thank my people who have made me happy because I belong to them, and made me proud because they are my people.

From Karageorge to myself, there is an unbroken line of service to the people and country; from myself on, as long as The House of Karageorge exists, the honour of serving the people and country is an indisputable duty, for we were created from each other, and that fact is binding together forever.

I am indebted to my wife for all her love, hard work and devotion everyday and for this birthday. I thank all my staff and all who worked so hard to make this weekend and everyday possible.

Thank you and God bless you, and may love bring us all together.

After addressing the present, The Crown Prince cut the birthday cake, and the Choir sang “Many Years to Come“, and then a magnificent fireworks was displayed.

The evening continued wit the performance of Mr. Sanja Ilic and his “Balkanika“ band, with the musical program called “Balkans Concept“