[Владимир Петровић]

REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA DAYS IN SERBIA

Mr Predrag Markovic, member of the Crown Council, attended Republic of Srpska Days in Serbia event on behalf of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II. Philharmonic Orchestra from Banja Luka performed wonderful programme, and concert at Ilija M. Kolarac Foundation was attended by HE Mr Tomislav Nikolic, President of Serbia, HE Mr Milorad Dodik, President of Republic of Srpska, HE Mrs Maja Gojkovic, Speaker of the Parliament of Serbia, HE Mr Velimir Ilic, Minister without portfolio responsible for emergency situations, HE Mrs Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska, HE Mr Igor Radojicic, Speaker of the Parliament of Republic of Srpska, His Grace Bishop Jovan of Slavonia, state officials and many other distinguished guests.
This cultural and business project has the goal of promoting cultural and economic relationships between Serbia and Republic of Srpska.

[Владимир Петровић]

Yoga Seminar at the White Palace to launch “Campaign against breast cancer”

Belgrade, 11 september 2014 – Princess Katherine Humanitarian Foundation together with International Women’s Club in cooperation with Academy for living healthy organized a one day yoga seminar at the White Palace to launch “Campaign against breast cancer”.
The seminar was run by Daniela Celikovic, member of the board of Lifeline New York Humanitarian Organisation that works under auspices of HRH Crown Princess Katherine and Yogacharya Jadranko Miklec, secretary of the World Yoga Federation. This was a humanitarian event to launch the oncoming “Campaign against breast cancer” that aims to raise awareness on the importance of prevention in fighting breast cancer.
Each participant could learn basics of yoga exercise in order to reduce stress of everyday life, increase energy and maintain optimal psycho-physical balance.
This event was supported by Academy for living healthy, La Roche –Posay, Restaurant Institucija, Sistem:I (Apple Macintosh system solution).

[Владимир Петровић]

42nd birthday of Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, wife of King Felipe VI of Spain, born in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain on September 15, 1972

[Владимир Петровић]

Crown Prince congratulates basketball players on historic success

Belgrade, 14 September 2014 - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II sent his warmest congratulations to the members of the Serbian national basketball team, coaching staff and the basketball federation of Serbia on the sports achievement that we are all proud of and which only they deserved.

In his letter Crown Prince Alexander II emphasized:
"Events like this remain for long in our memory and become part of our history, the one which we would like to be often repeated. Our basketball definitely has a bright future. One hundred years ago, by achieving victory in the Great War, Serbia showed the world that, although territorially a small country, it was the land of the brave, honorable, hard-working and proud people. One hundred years later, you showed the world all the wonderful qualities of our people that adorn ourcountry. Thank you for that. Let the international success that you have achieved in the name of your homeland serve to the honor of your ancestors, your contemporaries and your descendants.My sons, my wife and I are thrilled and proud."
HRH Crown Prince Alexander II watched the final match of the basketball world championship in the live TV broadcast, with his family at the Royal Palace.

[Владимир Петровић]

Crown Prince and Crown Princess at opening ceremony of the exhibition “Serbia 1914” and exhibition “Young Bosnia and Sarajevo assassination”

Belgrade, 15 September 2014 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended today the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Serbia 1914" at the Historical Museum of Serbia and then the opening of the exhibition "Young Bosnia and Sarajevo assassination" in the Archives.

Regarding the centenary of the First World War, the exhibition “Serbia 1914” is officially opened in the Historical Museum of Serbia in cooperation with the Historical and Military Museum and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Defense. The exhibition was opened by the Chief-of-Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces General Ljubisa Diković, in addition to the Royal Couple the opening ceremony was also attended by HE Mr. Ivan Tasovac, Minister of Culture and Information, Mr. Dragomir Acović, Chairman of the Crown Council, Mr. Dusan Babac, a member of the Privy Council, as well as numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps.

This setting is a contemporary museum project and seeks to bring closer the visitors in a fun way the political, cultural, scientific and economic rise of Serbia from the beginning of the 20th century, the events that preceded the Great War (Balkan wars, the Sarajevo assassination and the July Crisis) and the events of 1914, the first year of the war.

Upon completion of the formal opening of the exhibition, the Royal couple, accompanied by Mr. Dragomir Acović, the Chairman of the Crown Council attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Young Bosnia and Sarajevo assassination" in the Archives. At the opening speakers were HE Tomislav Nikolic President of the Republic of Serbia and HE Mr. Nebojsa Radmanovic, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Young Bosnia” assassination on the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 is the event that for 100 years grips the interest not only of scientists, journalists and politicians, but also to the people.

Although the Sarajevo assassination has a secondary meaning in the complex of the events surrounding the First World War, it was the reason for the war which opened a new epoch in the history of mankind.

This exhibition is one in the series of exhibitions of the archival documents performed at academic and professional levels, and has so far been presented in the Gallery of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republika Srpska, as well as in Mostar, Gacko and Andrićgrad.

[Владимир Петровић]

Nobel Laureate Sir Tim Hunt assisted national research projects development through European Commission funds in his seven day visit to Serbia

Belgrade, September 15, 2014 – At the invitation of the Crown Prince Alexander Foundation for Education professor Sir Timothy Hunt, Nobel Prize Laureate for Medicine in 2001, spent seven days in Serbia. From 9 to 15 September 2014 Prof. Hunt visited scientific institutions in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Negotin and Zajecar and presented the program of the European Research Council, which allocates significant resources for the development of science in Europe and Serbia.

The aim of the visit was to strengthen support for local scientists and help them, by pointing out opportunities for funding research projects through the European Commission. Crown Prince Alexander said on that occasion: “I am very proud that Professor Sir Tim Hunt accepted my invitation to come to Serbia. Our country has a lot of young and talented scientists, and it is very important for them to be informed how to get funding for their scientific projects. Our country is in very difficult financial situation and it cannot fully support realisation of new scientific projects, so it is important that our scientists know that European funds are open for their projects as well, and is there really better way to know that than from one of greatest scientists of our time, Professor Sir Tim Hunt? I am sure that ,any scientists and students in our country will find visit of Professor Sir Tim Hunt very useful”.
Professor Sir Timothy Hunt received the Nobel Prize in 2001 for his discovery of the basic mechanisms of cell cycle control, and five years later he was appointed Knight Bachelor (Kt).
Sir Timothy is a member of the European Research Council scientific team, which defines the strategy and methodology of funding research projects, and came to Serbia with the support of the European Commission, with the aim to help our scientists to network and learn more about the funding opportunities within the programme Horizon 2020 and specifically the European Research Council.
During his visit Sir Timothy delivered three lectures in Belgrade and Novi Sad, where he talked not only about ERC and the ways Serbian scientists can take part in it, but also engaged in direct conversations with our scientists.
At The Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade he received a diploma of Visiting Professor and held very motivating lecture “Futile Cycles, Switches, and the Control of Mitosis”. The lecture was not only attended by scientists and professors, but also by a significant number of youth and students who very carefully listened about the research that brought him the prestigious award.
During his lectures at The Universities of Belgrade and Novi Sad Sir Timothy motivated many Serbian scientists to apply for the Calls for proposal of ERC and thereby get financial aid not only for their research, but also for support of his fellow researchers and home institutions.
In addition to lectures, Sir Timothy discussed the opportunities within the European Research Council during his visit to the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Research, where he also met with representatives of the Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinca”, the Institute of Biological Research and the Faculty of Biology, as well as during his visit to the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Nano Technology Laboratory, and the medical centres in Negotin and Zajecar.
Accompanying Sir Timothy during his visit was Professor Gordana Popovic, a scientist of Serbian origin and the European Research Council scientific programme director, who further introduced the possibilities of this programme to local scientists.
TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine organised a dinner in honour of Professor Sir Tim Hunt at the Royal Palace on Sunday, September 14, attended by His Excellency the British Ambassador and Mrs Keefe, and prominent members of the scientific community of Serbia.

[Владимир Петровић]

CROWN PRINCE MEETS RUSSIAN FEDERATION IPA DELEGATION AND ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “GREAT WAR AND BEGINNING OF THE NEW WORLD”

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II met today with delegation of International Police Association of the Russian Federation, led by President Mr Aleksej Gankin, today at the Royal Palace, and after that, together with HRH Crown Princess Katherine attended the opening of the International Conference “Great War and beginning of the new World” at the Sava Center in Belgrade.
The Crown Prince met with the delegation of International Police Association, led by President Mr Aleksej Gankin, in the Blue Salon of the Royal Palace. This delegation is starting a several day visit to Serbia, and their host is International Police Association of Serbia and their branch in Kosovsko Pomoravlje.
Mr Aleksej Gankin thanked His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II for welcoming them, and emphasized that Russian and Serbian people are brothers and that it was great honour for him to be at the Royal Palace today, a Palace designed by the great Russian architect Nikola Krasnov. He also thanked for the great support that Crown Prince is giving to the International Police Association, and expressed his hopes that such meetings will continue in the future.
Crown Prince Alexander II welcomed Mr Aleksej Gankin and his colleagues, and said he was happy to have them as his guest at the Royal Palace today. “I am thrilled that International Police Associations of Serbia and Russia have such a good cooperation and close connections”, said Crown Prince.
Mr Milorad Petkovic, President International Police Association of Serbia and Mr Dobrivoje Stojanovic, were at the meeting.
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended the opening of the International Conference “Great War and beginning of the new World” organized by Russian societies, with a Russian state delegation with the deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, Prof Dr. Oliver Antic, Councilor to President of Serbia, Mr Aleksej Meskov, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Mr Vladimir Jakunjin, president of the Fund of St. Andrew the First Called delivered speeches, while greeting letters of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Mr Sergey Nirishkin, Speaker of the Russian Duma were read.
The First World War changed the geo-political map of Europe and the world, caused huge suffering and deaths, and lessons we could have learned are even more actual today, in the light of Ukraine crisis, it has been said at the conference. Serbia has suffered greatest losses in human lives, and lost one sixth of the population, and no forgery of the history must be allowed.

[Владимир Петровић]

ANNOUNCEMENT
Opening of the exhibition on 110th Anniversary of Enthronement of HM King Peter I at the Royal Palace

Belgrade, 18 September 2014 - On 110th Anniversary of Enthronement of HM King Peter I, on Sunday, September 21 at 6 pm, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia will officiate a Holy Liturgy at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First Called starting on 6 pm. After that, the exhibition will be opened at the Royal Palace, with film about coronation of HM King Peter I, many documents and photographs from that event, and Royal regalia of King Peter I presented. Author of the exhibition is Mr Dusan Babac, member of the Privy Council.
The exhibition will be open for public from September 21 to October 3, 2014, group visits on 11 am and 2 pm, and all visitors have to announce arrival to the Royal Palace Fund Office by phone 011 306 4007 or email: kancelarija@dvor.rs .
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, great grandson of HM King Peter I, Mr Dragomir Acovic, chairman of the crown Council and Mr Dusan Babac, member of the Privy Council and author of the exhibition will deliver speeches at the official opening of the exhibition “110th Anniversary of Enthronement of HM King Peter I”.
Enthronement of HM King Peter I was very important event regarding positioning of new Sovereign of Kingdom of Serbia, both domestically and internationally. After that, all European Royal Houses accepted new King as a “brother”, while people’s will shown by the decision of the National Parliament from 1903 was acknowledged.
That event has marked a new era in history of Serbia and history of the Balkans. King Peter faced very important and very difficult task to implement principles of the constitution in Serbian political life, the very principles he considered of outmost importance for country’s future development.
The exhibition is organized by the Royal Palace Fund in cooperation with Ministry of culture and Information of Serbia.

[Владимир Петровић]

Royal Couple at 50th anniversary of the marriage of King Constantine of the Hellenes and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark

Athens 19 September 2014. Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended in Athens a two day commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the marriage of King Constantine II of the Hellenes and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark. Their Majesties were married 18 September 1964 and Crown Prince Alexander was present.

All the children of Their Majesties came for the anniversary: Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana, Prince Philippos, Princess Alexia and Señor Carlos Morales Quintana and Princess Theodora.

Many relatives came for the wonderful event including HM Queen Sophia of Spain sister of HM King Constantine, and Her Majesty’s daughter HRH Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo; HRH Princess Irene of Greece sister of King Constantine; HM Queen Margarethe of Denmark; King Simeon and Queen Margarita of the Bulgarians; Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania; Princess Benedikte of Denmark; HRH Prince Ernst August of Hannover.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath came from Jordan. His Royal Highness is the brother of the late King Hussein of Jordan.
On Wednesday Their Majesties hosted a spectacular dinner for the family at the Acropolis Museum which is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens.
Last night Their Majesties organised a black tie gala dinner the Yacht Club in Pireaus attended also by prominent Greeks and many friends.
His Royal Highness was a crown bearer at the wedding on 18 September 1964. Other crown bearers were HM the King of Sweden at the time Crown Prince, HM The King Harald of Norway at time Crown Prince and The Prince of Wales.

[Владимир Петровић]

Royal couple host opening of the exhibition “110th Anniversary of Coronation of King Peter I” at the Royal Palace

Belgrade, 21 September 2014 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted this evening at the Royal Palace the opening of the exhibition “110th Anniversary of Coronation of King Peter I”. Before the exhibition His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia officiated a service in the memory of His Majesty King Peter I the Liberator at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First Called.
Guests were addressed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II, who officially opened the exhibition, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, and Mr Dragomir Acovic, Chairman of the Crown Council.
HRH Crown Prince Alexander welcomed guests and said: “My family and I are very happy to wish you a warm welcome tonight. Today, we mark the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the coronation of my great-grandfather King Peter I, the event which had a great historical significance and importance for Serbia.
From the beginning of his reign, my great-grandfather faced serious obstacles. Serbia was torn by the inner political struggle. His biggest task was the affirmation of the principles of political liberalism, parliamentarism, democracy and its institutions, in the politics and in life in Serbia. He felt that it was necessary for further progress, as well as for the access to the developed European countries.”
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia has emphasized: “We want, our Church and our people, what we have had for centuries. To have a King at the helm of our country. Old Serbian proverb says – there is no good without a King, and we are waiting for historic circumstances to lign up and to have a Serbian King, and thank God we have the original Serbian Dynasty of Karadjordjevic and our Crown Prince Alexander and we pray that God gives him good health and strength to continue fighting for the benefit of Serbia, as he has done so far, as a worthy descendant of King Peter I and King Alexander I the Unifier.
This extraordinary exhibition, whose author Mr Dusan Babac, member of the Privy Council, shows in detail this very important event regarding the positioning of the new Sovereign of Kingdom of Serbia, both domestically and internationally. After that, all European Royal Houses accepted the new King as a “brother”, while the people’s will wasshown by the decision of the National Parliament from 1903 was acknowledged.
That event has marked a new era in history of Serbia and history of the Balkans. King Peter faced very important and very difficult task to implement principles of the constitution in Serbian political life, the very principles he considered of outmost importance for the country’s future development.
King Peter I Karadjordjevic was the fifth child of Prince Alexander and Princess Persida (the daughter of Duke Jevrem Nenadovic). He was born on St. Peter’s Day 11 July 1844. He finished elementary and high school in Belgrade, and continued his education at the Venel – Olivier Institute in Geneva. After his graduation, Prince Peter went to College Saint Barb in 1861, and then in 1862 he enrolled in the famous French Military Academy of Saint-Cyr and graduated in 1864.
King Peter I died 16 August 1921 in Belgrade and was buried in the Mausoleum of St. George in Oplenac. Owing to his accomplishments in the Balkan wars and World War I, he was known by the people as King Peter I, The Liberator.
The “110th Anniversary of Coronation of King Peter I” exhibition will be open for visitors until Friday, October 3, every working day at 11 am and 2 pm, and visitors should announce their visit one day in advance by calling 011 306 4007.

[Владимир Петровић]

Crown Prince Alexander at the opening Exhibition 70th Anniversary of Operation Halyard

Belgrade, 23 September 2014 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II attended this evening the official opening of the exhibition on the 70th anniversary of Operation Halyard, the biggest Allied airlift operation behind enemy lines during World War II. This exhibition is organized under auspices of HE Mr Tomislav Nikolic, President of Republic of Serbia, and in cooperation with Ministry of Defense of Republic of Serbia and the United States Embassy in Belgrade.
The official opening was also attended by Professor Dr. Oliver Antic, special representative of the President of Serbia, who addressed the gathering, as well as the President of Halyard Foundation Lt. John Cappello and Mr. Gordon Duguid,Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States of America Embassy in Belgrade. Among guests were General Ljubisa Dikovic, Chief of Staff of the Army of Serbia and many other distinguished guests.
In a picture displayed there are American pilots, Serbian soldiers and villagers and priests celebrating together the birthday of HM King Peter II of Yugoslavia in 1944.
During Operation Halyard in 1944, from an improvised airstrip in the Village of Pranjani near Gornji Milanovac, several hundred United States pilots and several dozen British pilots, together with air crews from Russia, France and other allied countries were taken to freedom in a joint operation conducted by Serbian villagers, Yugoslav Army in the Homeland under command of General Dragoljub Mihailovic and the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS).
President Harry S. Truman decorated posthumously General Dragoljub Mihailovic with the Legion of Merit for his support to Allied forces and contribution to victory in World War II.

Public Relations
The Royal Palace, Belgrade 11040, Serbia
Tel: +381 11 306 4000 Fax: +381 11 306 4040
E-mail: pr@dvor.rs Please visit www.dvor.rs

[Владимир Петровић]

Crown Prince Alexander extends congratulations for Rosh Hashanah

Belgrade, 24 September 2014 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II extended his congratulations for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to leaders of the Jewish community in Serbia and Republika Srpska.

“On Rosh Hashanah I would like to extend my best wishes to you and all members of the Jewish community in Serbia. It reminds us that we should review events of the past, beg forgiveness for what we did wrong and to pray for peace all around the world”- pointed out the Crown Prince in his letter of congratulations.
His Royal Highness sent a letter to H.E. Mr. Yossef Levy, the Ambassador of Israel to Serbia, Mr. Isaac Asiel, Great Rabi of Serbia, Mr. Jakov Danon, President of the Jewish Community Banja Luka, Mr. Jakob Alba, President of the Jewish Community of Belgrade, Mr. Nenad Fogel, President of the Jewish Community of Zemun, Mr. Robert Sabados, President of the Jewish Community of Subotica and Mr. Goran Levi, President of the Jewish Community Novi Sad.

[Владимир Петровић]

Crown Prince and Crown Princess host concert of Royal St George Strings Orchestra at the Royal Palace

Belgrade, 26 September 2014 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted this evening at the Royal Palace a concert of the famous Serbian Royal St. George String Orchestra under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, with concertmaster and soloist Sreten Krstic.
HRH Crown Prince Alexander II welcomed the guests and mentioned: “I am very happy that our home once again can host such an extraordinary cultural event. The Royal Compound is a monument of special historical and cultural value for our country. It has very important role in the promotion of Serbian culture, history and tradition. I hope that events like this one will become traditional, in order to present Serbian culture and Serbia in the best possible way”.
In his letter, HRH Prince Philip said: “For over sixteen years, I am honoured to be the patron of the Royal Strings of St. George. During that time, they had a series of concerts at musical events in the country and abroad, and it is with great pleasure and pride that I follow their success. I am confident that this will be an exceptional artistic evening. As always, on this occasion, the Royal Strings of St. George and their remarkable concert master maestro Krstic, have my full support.”
The St. George String Orchestra performed several very inspiring compositions including those of A. Corelli, J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Franz Schubert, J. Sibelius and A. Dvorak. Besides Their Royal Highnesses, the concert was attended by representatives of art and culture institutions, members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests.

[Владимир Петровић]

Princess Katherine delivers humanitarian aid to KBC Zemun and victims of floods in Obrenovac

Belgrade, 1 October 2014 – Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine and Mrs Kathy Fanslow, President of Lifeline Chicago Humanitarian Organization whose Patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine, visited today Clinical Centre Zemun and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of hospital beds, infusion stands, pillows, blankets, towels, medical gloves, masks, bandages, as well as backpacks, school supplies, hygienic items and toys for children in the children’s ward. In the afternoon Princess Katherine and Mrs Kathy Fanslow visited Obrenovac and delivered aid to 39 families who suffered great losses during floods last May.
HRH Crown Princess Katherine emphasized in her address at Zemun Hospital: “I am very happy to be with you here today, with my friend Kathy Fanslow, President of Lifeline Chicago Humanitarian Organization. Our people who live in the Diaspora always do their best to help our people, and Lifeline Chicago has been collecting humanitarian aid for years for hospitals, children without parents, refugees and the elderly. I am very happy that we present today this valuable donation to the children’s ward”.
The building where KBC Zemun is located was built with HM King Peter I personal funds, while HM Queen Maria financed the completion of construction works. During last two years, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, together with her humanitarian organizations, donated ultrasound machines, anesthesia devices, beds for emergency units, medical material to KBC Zemun.
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine and Mrs Kathy Fanslow visited Obrenovac this afternoon, and delivered humanitarian aid to 39 families who suffered big losses during the disastrous floods last May. The distributed hygienic parcels, food and kitchen utensils, pillows, blankets, towels, backpacks for school children and school supplies. This is sixth humanitarian delivery to citizens of Obrenovac since disastrous floods in May.
HRH Crown Princess Katherine and Mrs Kathy Fanslow will tomorrow visit the villages of Mojkovic and Brstica in the Municipality of Krupanj and deliver humanitarian aid to 65 families, while Friday they will visit Bijeljina and deliver humanitarian aid to 90 families.