BIRTHDAY OF HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER CELEBRATED AT THE ROYAL PALACE IN DEDINJE

Belgrade, 18 July 2003 – TRH Crown Princess Katherine and Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander organized a reception at The Royal Palace last night on the occasion of the 58th birthday of Crown Prince Alexander. The celebration was attended by the members of the immediate family of HRH Crown Princess Katherine: her parents Mr. and Mrs. Batis, her son David Andrews and her daughter Alison Garfinkel with her children Stephanie and Amanda.

Shortly before the birthday party there was a press conference at The White Palace, with Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander answering the questions of many reporters.

The celebration of Crown Prince Alexander’s birthday was the occasion to mark the second anniversary of the Royal Family’s return to the homeland.

During the last year the Royal Family visited many places in Serbia and Montenegro and Republika Srpska. In all the encounters with the representatives of local authorities, all religious communities, businessmen and public figures, but above all with citizens, the Crown Prince expressed his determination to help everybody, regardless of their religious or ethnic origin or political orientation.

Thousands of our citizens, representatives of many associations, institutions, companies and trade unions were the guests of Their Royal Highnesses at The Royal and The White Palace in Dedinje, that for the first time in their history were opened for group visits. This year too, wishing to support talented young people who are our future, the scholarships of the Fund of the Royal House were awarded to the best university students, as well as the Commendations to the best secondary school students from all over Serbia.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander had many meetings in the country and abroad with potential investors, presenting them our country and the investment possibilities.

At the beginning of the reception, the member of the Crown Council and our famous playwright Mr. Dusan Kovacevic congratulated the Crown Prince on behalf of the advisory bodies of the Crown and pointed out these were the times that previous generations could only dream about, because the Karadjordjevics are “the roots, the tree and the fruit of this country”, but also the future of Serbia.

The Crown Prince greeted the guests, thanked for the warm congratulations and said:

“I am particularly happy that my sons Peter, Alexander and Philip are with us here tonight. Another year has passed during which my wife Crown Princess Katherine and I have traveled a lot throughout our country delivering humanitarian aid. It is our wish that Serbia is a country that has great respect of all people regardless of their ethnic and religious origin or political orientation.”

A special program was performed for the guests, with the film directed by Mr. Dusan Kovacevic, about the activities of Crown Prince Alexander during the last year. Music for this film was written by Mr. Momcilo Bajagic – Bajaga.

After the formal dinner, the distinguished guests were addressed by HRH Crown Princess Katherine:

“I am very happy that my husband Crown Prince Alexander is celebrating his birthday in his country, in the house of his grandfather, with his family, friends and close to his people. That is the greatest gift and we are very happy because of it.”

During the reception the program was performed by: the string quartet “Intermezzo”. “Kolo” folklore troupe who performed a medley of national dances, and “Mokranjac” choir who sang “Manny happy returns”, wishing the Crown Prince a happy birthday. A big surprise for the Crown Prince and the guests was a magnificent fireworks.

The reception was attended by the top state officials, diplomatic corps, dignitaries of Serbian Orthodox Church and other religious communities, the media, international organizations, members of the advisory bodies of the Crown, donors and friends of the Royal Family from the country and abroad.