TRADITIONAL EASTER RECEPTIONS FOR CHILDREN

Belgrade, 22 April 2008 – This year, once again upon the coming of Easter, the White Palace at Dedinje was filled with children’s loudness and play throughout the day. The vast rooms of the White Palace were too small to receive all the young ones who came to share some nice moments together with the Prince and Princess, on the occasion of the most joyful upcoming Christian holiday, Easter.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted today at the White Palace more than a thousand children from Kosovo and Metohija, Roma children, children without parental care, and children with special needs from all over Serbia, on traditional Easter receptions.

Along with Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, this event was also attended by His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac. The biggest joy, by default, among the children was caused by Crown Princess Katherine. The children simply did not want to part from her, and neither did she want to part from them.

During the receptions the children were given sweets and toys, and were entertained by the St. John The Theologist children’s church choir from Sabac.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine did not hide her emotions as she played with the children who, above everything else, need love, attention, happiness, and understanding. This is just what the Crown Princess wanted to give them, at least for a day, because there is nothing nicer than a child’s smile and because these children have so little compared to many of their counterparts in Serbia. The message of the Crown Princess is clear: all the children are our greatest treasure, and these children can not be either forgotten or neglected.

Greeting the youngest ones, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander said: “We will all have an opportunity to enjoy together the beautiful moments on the occasion of Easter, the most joyful holiday. I want all of you to have a good time. We hope you will like the presents my wife Crown Princess Katherine and I have prepared for you”.

Today’s noble action was supported by numerous friends from Greece and Serbia:

A.D. Jaffa Crvenka, A.D. Stark, Alba Avis, Art-Ival d.o.o., Balon centar, Blumen Market, Cokolend Paracin, Frikom A.D., Herba d.o.o., Ishrana produkt, Janovic Co., Knjaz Milos A.D., Coca Cola HBC Serbia, Lifeline Hellas, Luxor Conditori, Marbo produkt d.o.o., Mat Marex, Monoplast, National Bank of Greece, Pekara Toma, Pekara Trpkovic, Petrohemija Pancevo, Pionir d.o.o., Raiffeisen Bank, SZR Vrabac Pozarevac.