THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES VISIT KNJAZEVAC

Belgrade, 21 May 2003 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited Knjazevac today.

Invitation for the visit to this important town in Timok Region came from the Mayor of Knjazevac Mr. Milan Petrovic. This is the first visit of TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine to this town in the foot of Midzor and Stara Planina Mountains.

Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed at the Town Hall, where they were greeted by the Mayor of Knjazevac Mr. Milan Petrovic with his associates.

Then Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited pre-school “Snezana” (Snow White), where the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine received a 100,000 dinars cheque from “Exim” bank, by Mr. Nenad Milutinovic. HRH Crown Princess Katherine thanked to the donor and pointed out this was a great gesture and an example to the others, and then passed on the cheque to the Director of the pre-school “Snezana”, Mrs. Angelina Vasilijic.

Beside this cheque this institution was donated with candies and toys that brought joy to the children. Thanking Their Royal Highnesses, the young ones performed a short program reciting poems. Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine enjoyed it very much.

After the visit to pre-school “Snezana” followed the visit to the City Museum, memorial house of Aca Stanojevic, the leader of Timok rebels from the XIX century, where Crown Prince Alexander II had the opportunity to sit in the very same chair that his grandfather King Alexander I used to sit in.

A doxology was served at the Church of St. George and Their Royal Highnesses lit candles after that. Their Royal Highnesses addressed the citizens in front of the Church, saying:

“Your town is an important centre of Timok Region and it has a rich history. Today, Knjazevac is a beautiful, modern town that takes care of its history and creates its future. Our country has gone through a difficult period which I hope is behind us. If we work together we can achieve much and I am convinced we are going to do so”.

Crown Prince Alexander II invited the citizens of Knjazevac to visit The Royal and The White Palace, that are now open for the public after so many years.

The Mayor of Knjazevac Mr. Milan Petrovic saluted “the greatest son of our country and the direct descendant of the glorious Supreme Leader Karadjordje”, and then there was a meeting with representatives of Knjazevac Municipality who introduced Their Royal Highnesses to the current situation in the economy, culture and health care system of this town and the Region.

Crown Prince Alexander II addressed the present:

“We must do much more so that the generations to come can enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Our greatest commitment is to strengthen our economy and by doing so we motivate our young people to stay in their country. My wife and I are always there for you to support you in that”.

Their Royal Highnesses visited the Health Centre where they delivered € 7,000 worth donation of Draeger mobile respirator and surgical gloves. The gathered doctors and nurses were addressed by HRH Crown Princess Katherine:

“What I see today travelling all over Serbia, delivering humanitarian aid, is optimism that gives me strength to go on.

It is the wish of my husband Crown Prince Alexander and myself to obtain as much as possible information on your needs and on the ways how to help you in the future.

We have returned to the country to help our people and we are going to continue doing so with all our strength”.