CENTENNIAL OF KING PETAR’S ACCESSION TO SERBIAN THRONE CELEBRATED AT OPLENAC

Belgrade, 12 June 2003 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine organized a celebration on the occasion of the centennial of HM King Petar I’s accession to the throne of Serbia at Oplenac today.

On 12 June 1903, according to the Julian calendar valid at the time, Peter Karadjordjevic took oath on the new Serbian Constitution in the Parliament, and thus became the King of Serbia. That act was the beginning of the new period in the development of Serbian state – the era of democracy and liberal governing of the country.

Beside Their Royal Highnesses, the ceremony at the Foundation of King Petar I was attended by the Governor of the National Bank Mr. Mladjan Dinkic, the Chief of the Communication Bureau of the Government Mr. Vladimir Popovic, numerous ambassadors, representatives of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, religious leaders. media directors and editors in chief, members of the advisory bodies of the Crown and numerous public figures of our country.

Their Royal Highnesses and the distinguished guests were welcomed at Oplenac by the children in folklore costumes and many citizens from the region.

In the Church of Saint George Crown Prince Alexander laid wreath on King Petar’s tomb, lit a candle and paid respect to his great-grandfather. The Guard of Honour at the tomb was kept by the Police Academy cadets.

Then followed the Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, assisted by Bishops Artemije of Raska and Prizren and Ignjatije of Branicevo, as well as by the clergy and monks of Sumadija Bishopric.

After the Liturgy His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren reminded the present that HM King Petar I had built foundations of democratic, modern Serbia, and wished that the day of marking centennial of his accession to the Throne was the new beginning and rise of our people and our country. The Bishop expressed hope that Serbia will reach the success and respect it had at that time.

The present were then addressed by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II:

“At the place where my great-grandfather rests in peace, I feel the need to express my admiration for his noble deed. That was a prosperous state of parliamentary democracy, liberalism, civil rights, entrepreneurship, political wisdom and mutual respect of everyone. I would say, it was Serbia as fulfilment of the highest values from the famous essay “On Liberty” by John Stuart Mill, translated into Serbian by my great-grandfather in 1868”.

The Crown Prince invited all the present to share with him the vision of stable European Serbia.

The celebration at Oplenac was continued with a cocktail in King Aleksandar’s Villa, after which the distinguished guests and numerous reporters saw the exhibition of personal belongings of TM King Aleksandar and Queen Maria exhibited for the first time at King Petar’s House.