“PANCIC” SPRUCE AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO THE CROWN PRINCE

Belgrade, 17 July 2005 – On the occasion of the 60th birthday of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, the employees of The Royal Palace and the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine had a surprise for The Crown Prince in front of The Royal Palace.

As a symbol of strength and health, they gave The Crown Prince a “Pancic” blue spruce (Picea Omorica, lat.), with a wish for The Crown Prince to take care of it, with the help of his sons, TRH Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander.

“Pancic” spruce is a tree of extraordinary beauty and gracefulness, known as “the Empress of all European endemics” or as “Serbian spruce”. It grows only at Tara Mountain, our most beautiful national park.

Very pleasantly surprised and emotional, together with HRH Crown Princess Katherine and TRH Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II planted this beautiful tree, which will decorate The Royal Compound Park in Dedinje. Addressing the present, The Crown Prince thanked all the employees of The Royal Family without whom many events, including this one, could not be organized.

“Thank you all for your hard work, your loyalty to The Royal Family and to my sons” – emphasized The Crown Prince.

Then the present were addressed by HRH Hereditary Prince Peter who, on behalf of his brothers Princes Philip and Alexander, thanked the employees for the wonderful present for their father.

“Without the great effort of all the employees, it would not be possible to organize many events of the celebration of my father’s 60th birthday, which brought joy not just to The Royal Family, but to the joy of all the guests who came from all over the world to heighten this event” – pointed up The Hereditary Prince.

The small ceremony in front of The Royal Palace was also attended by Mr. and Mrs. Djordje Vlajic, the chairman of the Royal Fencing Club “Karadjordje”, who participated in the organization of the celebration of The Crown Prince’s birthday, as well as many other guests.