ROYAL COUPLE ATTEND CELEBRATION PATRON SAINT DAY OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID

Banja Luka, Belgrade 9 January 2009 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited Banja Luka today where they were welcomed by HE Prof Dr. Rajko Kuzmanovic, President of Republika Srpska, on the occasion of celebration St. Stefan, the Patron’s Saint Day of Republika Srpska.

Upon their arrival to Banja Luka, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended a gathering with HE Prof. Dr. Rajko Kuzmanovic, President of Republika Srpska, HE Mr. Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, and members of the Russian delegation “Zabrezje” that were awarded on the occasion of Day of the Republic and Patron’s Saint Day – St Stefan.

Their Royal Highnesses together with Government officials of Republika Srpska and the Republic of Serbia, as well as many distinguished guests from business, cultural and public life of these two countries attended a Ceremonial Presentation and reception held at Banski Dvor. After the ceremony the reception took place in the Palace of the Republic, among those present were: HE Mr. Milorad Dodik, the Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, HE Mr. Igor Radojcic, Speaker of the House of Republika Srpska, Mr. Davor Cordas Vice-president of Republika Srpska, His Grace Bishop of Zahumlje and Herzegovina Grigorije and many others distinguished guests.

Following the reception Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited the Department of Gynaecology and Paediatric Department in the Clinical Centre of Banja Luka where they donated valuable medical equipment, as well as Christmas packages for the children in the Department of Paediatrics. The Royal Couple were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Mirko Stanetic, Director of the Clinical Centre of Banja Luka. Princess Katherine gave a speech emphasizing: “It is a great pleasure for my husband and I to deliver this donation on your Patron Saint Day. It is our wish to help people regardless of ethnic or religious origin. The people in South Eastern Europe have suffered enough”.