STATEMENTS

THE CHANCELLERY OF
H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II
OF YUGOSLAVIA

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 800 ORPHANS AND CHILDREN REFUGEES
AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II, Princess Katarina, Princes Filip and Aleksandar, Prince Vladimir with his wife Princess Brigitte and Princess Lavinia with her husband Mr. Austin Prichard and children Nadia, Andreja and Luka hosted in the last three days at the Royal Palace in Belgrade receptions for more that 800 orphans and children refugees.

On that occasion, Peđolino and actors from the theater company “Sunny hat” prepared four performances for the youngest guests. Christmas gift made of scarf, gloves, candies and toys that H.R.H. Princess Katarina provided by her humanitarian work in Yugoslavia and Greece was given to every child.

The following children visited the Royal Palace: children from foster families from Miloševo, Žitište and Nova Crnja, children from Belgrade Centers for children without parental care “Moša Pijade”, ‘Dragutin Filipović-Jusa”, “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj” and “Drinka Pavlović”, children that lost their parents in the wars since 1990, children from refugee camps in Zemun, Krnjača and Mirijevo, orphans and destitute children from Kragujevac, Romany children from Belgrade and handicapped children from the Center for mentally insufficiently developed children “Greta Kecman” from Belgrade.

Addressing present children and their teachers, Crown Prince Aleksandar II said: “Last year I wished to spend this Christmas at my home, in Serbia. And my wish came true. If you strongly and clearly believe with the whole heart, your every wish will come true”.

“Never doubt in your straight and you will see how much you will achieve in your life. Thank you for being my guests today, as you made me happy as well”, emphasized Crown Prince Aleksandar II.

Princess Katarina expressed her satisfaction that the Royal Family had made Christmas and New Year holidays more pleasant for those children. She emphasized that given presents were only a symbolic gift and a sign of their care and love for all our children.

Belgrade, January 5, 2002.