THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES MEET DIPLOMATS, AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS, SERB COMUNITY, CHURCH LEADERS

Canberra, November 10, 2005 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine met today with diplomats accredited in Canberra as well as some high ranking Australian officials and the Serbian community and the Serbian Orthodox clergy.

Some 190 diplomats accredited in Canberra attended the reception organised by His Excellency Milivoje Glisic, Serbia and Montenegro’s Ambassador to Australia at the embassy in the honour of the Serbian Royal couple.

At the Australian parliament, Crown Prince Alexander and his hosts, Hon Phillip Ruddock MP, Attorney-General and Mr. John Cobb, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, exchanged views on the political situation in general and in the Balkans and on the position and the role of the Australian Serbs in their new homeland.

His Grace Bishop of Australia and New Zeeland Milutin, led the church service and hosted a reception and a dinner in the honour of Crown Prince and Crown Princess at St. Sava Monastery. A number of local Serbs gathered to greet the Royal couple at the monastery which also serves as the residence of Bishop Milutin, the main host for Their Royal Highnesses during their visit to Australia.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II told the gathering that only united they could serve both their old and new homeland. Speaking about Serbia and Montenegro, Crown Prince said that the devastation lasted for decades and that it could not be repaired in five years.

‘’We are sure that in case there is no political pressure and if we prove we can match our ancestors’ values, we will have a bright future,’’ he said.

Bishop Milutin said he was blessed with the opportunity to host Their Royal Highnesses during their first official visit to Australia and that he hoped it would not be long before Karadjordjevic Dynasty return to their throne.

Those gathered were also shown a documentary about HRH Crown Princess Katherine’s Lifeline humanitarian organisation and her Serbian Foundation.

On Friday, Their Royal Highnesses travel to Sydney, the next part of their 6-day visit to Australia upon the invitation by the Serbian Orthodox Church and Bishop Milutin.