CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR 2,000 CHILDREN AT THE WHITE PALACE

Belgrade, 3 January 2004 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine were the hosts to about 2,000 children refugees, children without parental care, Romany children and children with special needs, at The White Palace today, on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas.

At the very beginning of the reception Their Royal Highnesses wished the children a warm welcome and expressed their happiness for having so many of them as the guests at The White Palace.

The gathered children were addressed by His Grace Lavrentije, Bishop of Sabac and Valjevo, who pointed out that The Palace is the home of all Serbs, and the dearest guests are always the children.

Plenty of various toys and other gifts came to The White Palace through mediation of “Lifeline” humanitarian organizations from Athens, London and New York, under patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine. The toys that arrived from the USA are the results of a very successful program that the granddaughters of Princess Katherine Amanda and Stephanie organized at their schools for their friends in Serbia. This year too the program was assisted in donations by: “Mercator” and “Art Ival” from Belgrade, “M-Plast” from Sabac, “Swisslion” from Vrsac, “Paracinka” from Paracin, “Mleko-Produkt” from Zrenjanin, “Next” and “Sinalco” from Subotica.

The White Palace was full of joyful children today, who enjoyed songs and dances of the well-known children’s entertainer Pedjolino, together with the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, and especially for them, Santa Claus came to The White Palace.

With their arms filled with toys and their New Year’s wishes come true, the children left The White Palace with one wish only: to come again to the same Place next Christmas.