HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEKSANDAR II CELEBRATES HIS BIRTHDAY AND THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN TO THE HOMELAND

Belgrade, 18 July 2002 - HRH Crown Prince Aleksandar II together with his wife HRH Crown Princess Katherine and TRH Princes Petar, Filip and Aleksandar, TRH Prince Vladimir and Princess Brigitte celebrated his birthday and the first anniversary of the Royal Family’s return to the homeland, at the formal reception at The White Palace last night.

The reception was attended by several hundred invitees, top government and state officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Serbian Orthodox Church and other religious communities, international organizations and media, donors for the special humanitarian program in aid of hospitals in Serbia, members of the Crown Council, students supported by the Royal House of Karadjordjevic Fund, public figures and friends of the Royal Family from the country and abroad.

Among the invitees were Vice-president of the Federal Government Mr. Miroljub Labus, who has just announced his candidacy for the President of Serbia, President of Vojvodina Assembly Mr. Nenad Canak, Republic Ministers Branislav Lecic, Dragan Domazet and Vojislav Milovanovic, Ambassadors of the USA and Great Britain Their Excellences Mr. William Montgomery and Mr. Charles Crawford and other respectable guests.

On behalf of the advisory bodies of the Crown, the Crown Prince was addressed by the member of the Crown Council, academician Matija Beckovic who expressed pleasure for “the Crown again became what it always has been – a symbol of continuity, unity and freedom”, after five decades.

Thanking the present, the Crown Prince wished for a prosperous, strong and successful Serbia, in which harmony and democracy will rule, Serbia in which human rights will be respected, Serbia without further divisions and or revenge.

Before he cut the birthday cake, followed by applause and a toast “Many happy returns”, the Crown Prince made a joke saying: “Today is a very important date. I am one year old”.

Establishing of the new democratic order in Serbia enabled His Royal Highness to return to his country. By the decision of the Federal Government, the Crown Prince was handed over the keys to the Royal Compound in Dedinje on 17 July 2001.