WHITE PALACE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS RECEPTIONS FOR CHILDREN

Belgrade, 4 January 2010 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, hosted today at the White Palace the traditional Christmas receptions for children from all over Serbia without parental care, children with special needs, Roma children, refugee and internally displaced children.

Also present were Mrs. Alison Andrews, the daughter of Princess Katherine, with her daughter Stephanie and sons Nicolas and Michael as well as friends and supporters of the Crown Princess from Chicago Mrs. Kathy Fanslow and Mrs. Marisa Basile.

More than 1200 children ages 3 to 12, had the opportunity to feel and share the joy of Christmas with Their Royal Highnesses.

The first reception was hosted for children without parental care from Belgrade, Sombor, Pancevo; Roma children from Belgrade, Obrenovac, Trestenik, Borca and Marinkova Bara; as well as children from Milosevac and Sremska Kamenica.

The second reception was organized for children with special needs, while the third reception was hosted for children without parental care from Nis, Aleksinac, Negotin, Bela Crkva, Paracin and Zitiste; children of the victims of war from Zvezdara; Roma children from Belgrade, Ada; refugee children and internally displaced children.

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac welcomed the children, wishing them all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

The children enjoyed themselves and played with entertainer Pedjolino and Cigra Animators, and received various presents from the Royal Couple, provided by numerous donors from Greece and Serbia: Association of Ladies and Misses of Alexandroupoli, Mrs. Aleka Apostolidou, Lapin House, Tricoteen, Hasbro Hellas SA, Xatziprodromou SA, Chicco, ANT1 - Mrs Mari Kyriakou, Star toys, Elpida Association, Much, Giochi Preziosi, Sony Hellas, King Toys, HRA, ZACHARIAS, School "Othisis", American College of Athens, Educational Group Frolen, Mrs Frida Tsakiroglou's money, Mrs Anna Papagianni, Kotsonis AEVE, Mrs Anna Kodoni, Mrs Evgenia Chandris, Adra ,Art Ival, Baloon Center, Coca-Cola, Coko Land Paracin, Ishrana Produkt, Kika doo Loznica, Kozmolina, Marbo produkt, Matmarex, Megaplast Novi Sad, Mogi Trade, Paracinka AD Paracin, Pekara (bakery) Trpkovic, Rio Valjevo, Sajkaska, SZR Janovic, Jamax M Cacak, YU Ital Com Novi Sad, Park Belgrade, Mala Moda Marija, Dexy Co, Keprom Belgrade, Evro Giunti Belgrade, Boy Toys Belgrade, Labyrinth Belgrade, Monarchist Club Smederevo, Al Grosso, Pionir Subotica, Mitrosrem Corn Product Sremska Mitrovica, Klas bakery and Cvetni dekor.