STATEMENTS

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

EASTER GIFTS FOR ORPHANS AND CHILDREN REFUGEES
AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Today on Good Saturday, on the occasion of Easter holidays, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II, Princess Katarina, Prince Philip, Prince Vladimir and his wife Princess Brigitte hosted a reception for around 500 orphans and children refugees from the whole Serbia at the Royal Palace in Belgrade.

Children visiting the Royal Palace were children from Centres for children without parental care “Hristina Markišić” from Aleksinac, “Olivera Vukica Đorđević” from Vranje, “Jefimija” from Kruševac, “Dr Milorad Pavlović” from Sremska Kamenica, “Miroslav-Mika Antić” from Sombor, “Vera Blagojević” from Banja Koviljača, “Duško Radović” from Niš and “Spomenak” from Pančevo, children refugees from centres Leštane, Avala and Grocka, Romany children from Belgrade and handicapped children from the Centre for mentally insufficiently developed children “Greta Kecman” from Belgrade.

Together with Their Royal Highnesses, Bishop of Šabac and Valjevo Lavrentije greeted children and then spoke about Easter, the biggest and the most joyful Christian holiday.

Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Crown Princess Katherine expressed their pleasure for sharing with children the joy of Easter holidays that the Royal Family celebrates for the first time at the Royal Palace at Dedinje.

During the stay, children visited Royal Chapel dedicated to Saint Apostle Andrew the First Called where they kissed Holly Shroud of Jesus Christ, and then looked for hidden eggs together with Their Royal Highnesses at the park.

Each child was given Easter package with candies and toys.

Crown Princess Katherine said that the package has a symbolic meaning and that biggest gift for children is great love that Crown Princess and her family feel for all our children.

Belgrade, May 4, 2002