Serbia: State Funeral for King Peter II and Others

PRESS RELEASE

Royal Family, President of Serbia, Prime Minister, Serbian Church and Serbian People attend State Funeral at Royal Mausoleum in Oplenac.

Belgrade, 26 May 2013 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander, Princess Linda, Prince Nicholas, Princess Katerina, Prince Vladimir and Princess Brigitta, Princess Lavinia, Mr. Austin Prichard-Levy and Luca Prichard-Levy, Prince Dimitri, Princess Elizabeth, Prince Michel, Prince Serge and Prince Dushan with H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister, H.E. Foreign Minister Mr. Ivan Mrkic, H.E. Prof. Dr. Slavica Djukic – Dejanovic, Minister of health, H.E. Mr. Velimir Ilic, Minister of Construction and Urbanism, H.E. Mr. Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, representatives of Parliament of Serbia, Serbian Army, members of other Royal Families, and a great number of citizens from all over Serbia, Republika Srpska and abroad, representatives of diplomatic corps, paid final respects to Their Majesties King Peter II, Queen Alexandra and Queen Maria and His Royal Highness Prince Andrej at St. George church Royal Mausoleum in Oplenac on May 26.

Also present Mr. and Mrs. David Andrews, son and daughter in law of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Ms. Alison Andrews, daughter of HRH Crown Princess Katherine and her sons Mr. Nicholas Garfinkel and Mr. Michael Garfinkel, and Ms. Betty Roumeliotis, sister of HRH Crown Princess Katherine.

Among representatives of foreign Royal Families there were Their Majesties King Simeon and Queen Margarita of the Bulgarians, Their Majesties King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Archduke Sandor and Archduchess Herta of Austria, His Highness Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Their Royal Highnesses The Margraf and Margrafin of Baden, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Philipp Erasmus and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, His Royal Highness Prince Mabandla Dlamini of Swaziland, Princess Ira Von Fürstenberg and His Serene Highness Prince Pierre D' Arenberg.

H. E. Mr. Michael Davenport, Ambassador of the United Kingdom and H.E. Ms. Mette Kjuel Nielsen, Ambassador of Kingdom of Denmark were also present in the church.

Before the ceremony started, His Royal Highness Hereditary Prince Peter placed the Crown of HM King Peter I, His Royal Highness Prince Philip placed the sceptre and orb, and His Royal Highness Prince Alexander placed a diamond sabre of HM King Alexander I on the coffin of HM King Peter II.

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Eminence Metropolitan of Dabar and Bosnia Nikolaj, Their Graces Bishop Lukijan of Budim, Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, Bishop Vasilije of Srem, Bishop Ignatije of Branicevo, Bishop Lukijan of Osijek pole and Baranja, Bishop Dositej of Britain and Scandinavia, Bishop Maxim of Western America, Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, Archimandrite Metodije of Hilandar, officiated and attended the Holy Liturgy. 

The following Religious Leader were also present His Excellency Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar, Roman Catholic Metropolitan and Archbishop of Belgrade, Muhamed ef.Jusufspahic, Mufti of Serbia, Father Vitalij Tarasjev, representative of Moscow Patriarchate in Belgrade.

After the Liturgy and the Requiem, His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, said: “The honourable Serbian Royal House, and its Head Your Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II, in the light of divine force and truth, we are rectifying a great injustice today, human injustice that cried to the heavens. Descendents of Karadjordje, Father of Serbia, witnessed ocupation of their country, were forced to leave their beloved country, and to live in exile for decades. Today, when final wish of His Majesty King Peter I has been fulfilled, that his descendents live in their country with their people, and to be buried at St. George Church in Oplenac, we truly believe that souls of Karadjordje, Prince Alexander, King Peter I and King Alexander I rejoyce today. This is important day for Royal House of Kradjordjevic and their Head Crown Prince Alexander. Serbian children and Serbian people will gather around their graves to learn lessons of patriotism, love for their country, its history and culture.” 

Prime Minister of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, said: “A final piece of our history’s mosaic has been put in place today. We cannot change the past, but we rectify mistakes today. There are many ideologies, but there is just one Serbia. Therefore, it is very important that our people become united in the future. Long live Serbia!“

H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, said: “Our nation's history, beside glorious deeds, patriotism, fight for justice and truth, records conflicts, as well. That is one of the reasons that our country has had bad destiny. More Serbs died of acts of their brothers, than from foreign occupiers, and we must not forget that fact. Destiny of Karadjordje, his descendents and his family, represent sublimation of all ours divisions and disasters. We cannot have luxury of divisions and injustice any more.  Serbs have respected justice as highest virtue from the ancient times. Therefor we are rectifying immense injustic at the grave of Supreme Leader Karadjordje today.  And we are making another step toward unity“.  

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, son of Their Majesties King Peter II and Queen Alexandra, and grandson of HM Queen Maria, delivered a moving speech: “We are gathered today here in Oplenac to pay our last respects and bid farewell to King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Maria and Prince Andrej. The Karadjordjevic's, whose destiny throughout history has been closely tied to the destiny of the entire nation, as well as to the establishment of the modern Serbian State. Their lives are the reflection of what happened to their people and their homeland. Their wanderings and their exile lasted for too long. They lived and died in different parts of the world.

Today they are here in Oplenac, among their family and among their Serbs. For me, as the Head of the Royal Family and for my whole family this a great day. Sad, but solemn. Full of emotions and reverence. Full of personal memories. This is not only a historic moment for Royal Family, but also for the whole Serbian nation and the State of Serbia.”

TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander will host a reception on this solemn occasion for the Royal Family, state officials, church dignitaries, members of foreign Royal families and ambassadors at the White Palace 8 pm this evening.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and the Royal Family would like to express their gratitude to H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of the Interior, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and Serbian Orthodox Church, the State Commission for the transfer of remains of members of Royal Family and Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, special advisor to President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Ivan Mrkic, Minister of foreign affairs of Serbia, His Grace Bishop Longin of the Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America in Illionois United States of America, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Petrovic, ambassador of Serbia to the United States of America, H.E. Mr. Dragan Zupanjevac, ambassador of Serbia to Greece, H.E. Dr. Dejan Popovic, ambassador of Serbia to the United Kingdom, Mr. Desko Nikitovic, Consul General of Serbia in Chicago United States of America, The Government of Greece, H.E. Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Tom Karacic, lawyer from Chicago, Mr Dusan Djordjevic of Sveta Gora in Chicago, and so many others from Serbia and abroad who contributed that this event of tremendous importance for Serbia and its citizens was made possible.

If you look closely, I am immediately behind the priests in the lower left corner.
(Had a fantastic view!) 

Prince Alexander places the crown on his great-grandmother Marie's coffin. 

Crown Prince Alexander giving a speech after the State Funeral. 

Oplenac, Topola, Serbia. 

 A panoramic view of the state funeral mass.

 Crown Prince Alexander bids farewell to his parents, grandmother and uncle.

 Crown Prince Alexander and the President of Serbia arrive.

(If you look closely, I am to the left center of the images)

 The President and Prime Minister of Serbia, Crown Prince Alexander,

Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip, PrinceAlexander, Prince Vladimir.

Behind one can see Prince Radu of Romania, next to his wife Crown Princess Margarita.

Hereditary Prince Peter.

Prince Philip.

Prince Michael of Serbia and Arturo Beéche at the White Palace,
Belgrade, Serbia.

(Courtesy of HRH Prince Michel)

©Most of the images used in this report were provided by the office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander and hence are protected by copyright law.

_____

Arturo Beéche, Publisher

The EuroHistory Journal

Kensington House Books

6300 Kensington Avenue

East Richmond Heights CA 94805-1618

Phone: 510-236-1730

Email: Books@eurohistory.com

http://royalreadingcorner.blogspot.com/

http://erhj.blogspot.com/

http://www.eurohistory.com

EUROHISTORY: Issue XCII (April 2013) Mailing!

Dear Readers and Subscribers,

Our latest, Issue XCII (April 2013), covering the period from March 1-April 30, began shipping last week!

We are packing the remaining copies of the magazine today and getting them mailed between today and tomorrow.

All European subscribers will have their magazines mailed on Wednesday from London!

EUROHISTORY ISSUE XCII will be available at Hoogstraten English Bookstore on May 23 and at Librairie Galignani, Paris, on May 28!

Inside this issue, readers will find articles on:

1. Viktoria Luise of Prussia and Ernst August of Hannover

2. Prince Vsevelod Ioannovich of Russia (Part 1)

3. Four Generations of Royals

4. A Habsburg Visit to the Court of Madrid

5. Princess Lilian of Sweden

Of course our regular Book Review and Royal News sections are also included in the magazine's 92th issue!

It is amazing to think that next year's August 2014 Issue will be Number 100!

Something worth looking forward to!

Issue XCIII (June 2013) will be out by July 15 and it will include reports on the Inhildigung of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, The Reburial of King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mother Maria and Prince Andrej of Yugoslavia, Prince Vsevelod Ioannovich of Russia (Part 2), and other interesting pieces on some of your favorite royals.

Enjoy the reading...

Spain: The Royal Family Continues on its own "annus horribilis."

As a consequence of the financial crisis consuming one flourishing Spain, HM the King has given up the royal yacht FORTUNA, which the Royal FAmily has used for many years while on vacation in Palma.

Read along...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/10063446/Spains-King-Juan-Carlos-gives-up-luxury-yacht-Fortuna.html

UK: Interfaith Coronation

Church of England leaders have accepted the need to be “hospitable” to other faiths within any future service at Westminster Abbey, in order to reflect the spiritual diversity of modern Britain.

The Church has resisted calls for a multi-faith service in recent years, preferring to stress that the Christian nature of the coronation is preserved by law.

Senior church figures told this newspaper t that it was now accepted that other faiths should be recognised within the coronation service for the first time.

It will not, however, be a “multi-faith” service in the sense of a ceremony that treats all faiths as equal.

Representatives of other religions are likely to be asked to participate in a neutral symbolic act such as the lighting of candles, or to read from a text expressing shared values, rather than praying out loud or reading their own sacred texts.

Continue reading...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/10066234/Next-coronation-to-involve-other-faiths-besides-Christianity.html

Serbia: Return of Prince Andrej

His Royal Highness Prince Andrej’s casket was met today at the Nikola Tesla airport (Belgrade) by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Vladimir and Prince Dimitri, sons of HRH Prince Andrej, Princess Lavinia - Maria, daughter of HRH Prince Andrej with young Luka Austin Prichard (son of HRH Princess Lavinia-Maria) Princess Elizabeth, Prince George and Prince Michael, Ms. India Oxenberg, granddaughter of Princess Elizabeth, Professor Oliver Antic Special Advisor to President of Serbia H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, government officials and Serbian Orthodox Church representative His Grace Vicar Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije with blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej conducted a Memorial Service at the Royal Chapel, where the caskets of HRH Prince Andrew’s brother HM King Peter II, his sister-in-law HM Queen Alexandra and his mother HM Queen Maria, are already in place.

After the service, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia has said: “This is a holy moment, sad and joyful, when the members of the Royal House are gathering in their homeland, this holy land. By historic injustice, they have left their homeland to live in exile in this world.   Praised the Lord, the human and historic injustice has been rectified now.  They came back to their home, built by their father, something they couldn't have done during their lives. On May 26 they would be buried in Oplenac, and their return has made our nation happy“. 

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II has said: “Today we are fulfilling the legacy of King Peter I, who passed to us obligation to protect our country, our faith, our people and our descendants. 

Earthly remains of HM King Peter II, HM Queen Maria, HM Queen Alexandra and HRH Prince Andrej have been returned to Serbia, and the historic wound and injustice have been healed. Today, we have witnessed justice and family reunion, of the family that suffered a lot, as same as our society has suffered from injustice. 

On behalf of the Royal Family that came from the people, I would like to express special gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and Serbian Orthodox Church, H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, State Committee for transfer of remains of members of Karadjordjevic Family, and to all those who have supported us on this path of historic importance. Serbia has reinstalled its integrity and legitimacy of the state that bravely reaches for the future, with respects of its ancestors, of their freedom and their rights.   

Karadjordjevic Royal Family is a Serbian family that lives for Serbia, fights for Serbia and loves Serbia!“ 

Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, special advisor to President of Serbia, has said: “They have had a difficult life. Their suffering is our shame, and their pain was felt here, as well. Their only sin was that they were descendents of the Father of Serbia. Prince Andrej had a difficult life, but he preserved his Family name and his heritage with dignity, as all of Karadjordjevic did. Under highest auspices the peopel as a whole has been relieved of the great sin, and this injustice has been rectified. We have more things to do after May 26, and this was just a begining“.  

Following the Church service a reception for state representatives, Members of the Crown Council and Religious dignitaries took place at The Royal Palace.

A State Funeral for their re-interment in the Royal Mausoleum of St George's Chapel in Oplenac will be officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej on Sunday 26 May 2013.

Note: The removal of HRH Prince Andrej's remains from Nova Gracanica Cemetery in Illinois and subsequent transfer to Serbia was performed in full accordance with the legal procedures and administrative requirements of the State of Illinois United States by three of Prince Andrej's children, namely HRH Prince Dimitri, HRH Princess Lavinia-Marie and HRH Princess Tatiana-Marie, after consultations with Prince Andrej's other heirs.

©Royal Family of Serbia.

Yugoslavia: A Biography of Princess Olga of Greece

Our dear friends Tepi and Régine have written a lovely short sketch on the life of one of my favorite royals, Princess Olga of Greece, wife of Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia.

Visit the site and enjoy a lovely read!

http://www.noblesseetroyautes.com/nr01/2013/05/portrait-olga-de-grece-princesse-de-yougoslavie/

Great Britain: The Prince of Wales to Visit Langenburg

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TO ATTEND THE LANGENBURG FORUM ON REGIONAL FOOD SECURITY,

BADEN WÜRTTEMBERG, GERMANY

MONDAY 27th MAY 2013

The Prince of Wales has been invited by His Serene Highness Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg to attend the 2013 Langenburg Forum on regional food security, which will take place at Schloss Langenburg in the German state of Baden-Württemberg on Monday 27th May.

The invitation to His Royal Highness was made in recognition of the work of The Prince, and his International Sustainability Unit, on this issue. The event is the second of its kind and has been organised by HSH Philipp Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Joschka Fischer & Co. and the Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Mr Alexander Müller, with the support of The Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit.

His Royal Highness will join the third session of the Forum on the afternoon of 27th May in which The Prince will address the delegates and view a panel discussion on the opportunities to enhance local food systems. Following the Forum The Prince will attend a private reception with the delegates.

The Forum will bring together individuals and organisations from across the food industry – including farmers and the CEOs of international retailers – as well as environmental and consumer groups, government representatives and international agriculture and food security experts. The Forum will also debate the structure of food supply chains, exploring how they could be adapted to help return greater value back into food systems. Participants will discuss ways to ensure the sustainability and quality of food through the development of more local food supply, as well as the diverse local agricultures on which they depend.

The event will showcase best practice from around the world to demonstrate the ways in which new business models and new information communication technologies are beginning to facilitate a shift towards more local, sustainable food systems, and the revitalisation of food cultures. A key aim is to develop partnerships between food producers, policy makers and leading food businesses to maximise the benefits available from a healthier food system, for both consumers and the environment.

Sustainable agriculture and resilient supply chains are key focus areas of The Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit (ISU), which is assisting in the organisation of the Forum. The ISU, which was established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010, works to facilitate consensus around some of the key environmental challenges facing the world, with a critical focus on food security and environmental resilience.

For more information on the Langenburg Forum 2013 please visit www.schlosslangenburg.de or, from 17th May, www.langenburg-forum.de.

Serbia: Prince Andrej's Remains Arrive

HRH Prince Andrej returns to Serbia

Belgrade, 15 May 2013 – His Royal Highness Prince Andrej’s casket was met today at the Nikola Tesla airport (Belgrade) by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Vladimir and Prince Dimitri, sons of HRH Prince Andrej, Princess Lavinia - Maria, daughter of HRH Prince Andrej with young Luka Austin Prichard (son of HRH Princess Lavinia-Maria) Princess Elizabeth, Prince George and Prince Michael, Ms. India Oxenberg, granddaughter of Princess Elizabeth, Professor Oliver Antic Special Advisor to President of Serbia H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, government officials and Serbian Orthodox Church representative His Grace Vicar Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije with blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej conducted a Memorial Service at the Royal Chapel, where the caskets of HRH Prince Andrew’s brother HM King Peter II, his sister-in-law HM Queen Alexandra and his mother HM Queen Maria, are already in place.

After the service, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia has said: “This is a holy moment, sad and joyful, when the members of the Royal House are gathering in their homeland, this holy land. By historic injustice, they have left their homeland to live in exile in this world.   Praised the Lord, the human and historic injustice has been rectified now.  They came back to their home, built by their father, something they couldn't have done during their lives. On May 26 they would be buried in Oplenac, and their return has made our nation happy“.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II has said: “Today we are fulfilling the legacy of King Peter I, who passed to us obligation to protect our country, our faith, our people and our descendants.

Earthly remains of HM King Peter II, HM Queen Maria, HM Queen Alexandra and HRH Prince Andrej have been returned to Serbia, and the historic wound and injustice have been healed. Today, we have witnessed justice and family reunion, of the family that suffered a lot, as same as our society has suffered from injustice. .

On behalf of the Royal Family that came from the people, I would like to express special gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and Serbian Orthodox Church, H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, State Committee for transfer of remains of members of Karadjordjevic Family, and to all those who have supported us on this path of historic importance. Serbia has reinstalled its integrity and legitimacy of the state that bravely reaches for the future, with respects of its ancestors, of their freedom and their rights.   

Karadjordjevic Royal Family is a Serbian family that lives for Serbia, fights for Serbia and loves Serbia!“

Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, special advisor to President of Serbia, has said: “They have had a difficult life. Their suffering is our shame, and their pain was felt here, as well. Their only sin was that they were descendents of the Father of Serbia. Prince Andrej had a difficult life, but he preserved his Family name and his heritage with dignity, as all of Karadjordjevic did. Under highest auspices the peopel as a whole has been relieved of the great sin, and this injustice has been rectified. We have more things to do after May 26, and this was just a begining“.  

Following the Church service a reception for state representatives, Members of the Crown Council and Religious dignitaries took place at The Royal Palace.

Schaumburg-Lippe: Lying-in-State of Fürstin Benita

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Fürstin Benita zu Schaumburg-Lippe, who died on 10 May, has been visited by many people from Bückeburg and vicinity.

Her funeral will take place this weekend at the family's Mausoleum at Schloß Bückeburg.

http://www.landes-zeitung.de/portal/lokales/lz-heute_Abschied-von-Fuerstin-Benita-_arid,527078.html

©landes-zeitung.de

Russia: New Statue of Nicholas II and Alexandra

Last Saturday, the first statue of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna to be built in post-Bolshevik Russia was unveiled.

Our dear friend and author, Galina Korneva, has provided us with this lovely image of the above mentioned tribute to the massacred imperial couple.

It is the first time that a statue of the last Imperial Couple is unveiled in Russia!

©Galina Korneva

Serbia: Reply from HRH Prince Vladimir

Eurohistory received communication from HRH Prince Vladimir  regarding his views on the transfer of his late father's remains back to Serbia.

While we, as a press organization do not take sides, nor do we fan flames, we do feel it is worth providing the Prince with the space required for his reply to the events.

I have oftentimes asked those royals I keep in contact with, that my hope is for everyone to get along.

Today, at 08:13 on 14 of May 2013, I was informed by a friend in Australia that plans had been made and executed behind my back in order to bring back the remains of my late father, Kraljevic Andrej, to Serbia in order to be buried at Oplenac on the 26th of this month.

Although I had made very clear demands, as the head of the Kraljevic Andrej branch of the Karadjordjevic family, that the remains of my late father were to remain in the USA until I, as his eldest son and the one who was with him in the days before his death, saw fit to have them transferred to Oplenac, these demands and instructions have been ignored and violated.

It is a very sad day indeed when the eldest and rightful son of a father, as head of his branch, is betrayed by those in his family that he has loved and served for decades.

I am informing you all of this because I do not want you to think that this latest action had anything to do with me, or that I have changed my mind. I stand by my decision and instructions that I made many months ago and I am sorry that others within the family have chosen to take this course of action. 

As I have also stated previously, despite my feelings about this entire affair, I will dutifully attend the ceremony on the 26th in order to pay my heartfelt respects to my uncle, HM the late King Petar II and his wife, my grandmother HM the late Queen Marija and now my father, the late Kraljevic Andrej.

©Prince Vladimir

Serbia: Prince Andrej's Remains Return Home

HRH Prince Andrej returns to Serbia

Belgrade 14th May 2013 – Their Royal Highnesses Prince Dimitri, Princess Lavinia-Marie and Princess Tatiana - Marie of Serbia are delighted to announce that as a result of their recent successful application to the County Court of Grays Lake Illinois United States of America, the mortal remains of their beloved father, HRH Prince Andrej, third son of HM King Alexander I and younger brother of HM King Peter II, will arrive at the Royal Chapel, Dedinje on Wednesday, 15th May. 

On Wednesday 15 May 2013 - At Nikola Tesla Airport HRH Prince Andrew Remains will be awaited by his son HRH Prince Dimitri, His daughter Princess Lavinia - Maria and his grandson Mr. Luca Prichard Levy, HRH Crown Prince Alexander, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Princess Elizabeth, Professor Oliver Antic Special Advisor to President of Serbia and His Grace Vicar Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Irinej.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej will conduct a Memorial Service at the Royal Chapel, where the caskets of HRH Prince Andrew’s brother HM King Peter II, his sister-in-law HM Queen Alexandra and his mother HM Queen Maria, are already in place. 

Following the Church service a reception for state representatives, Members of the Crown Council and Religious dignitaries will take place at The Royal Palace.

A State Funeral for their re-interment in the Royal Mausoleum of St George's Chapel in Oplenac will be conducted by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej on Sunday 26 May 2013.

HRH Prince Dimitri and the two Princesses said: "This is truly an emotional, extraordinary and momentous event, not only for us as Prince Andrej’s children and the Royal Family, but also for the Serbian nation and Serbs everywhere. The return of our Father completes the jigsaw in the righting of an historic injustice. Our beloved father was always homesick for his homeland, and although this was not possible in life, at last he will join his family in eternal peace on Sunday 26 May in the Royal Mausoleum in Oplenac, where he rightfully belongs with his family and ancestors. We would also like to acknowledge our cousin HRH Crown Prince Alexander, without whom this would not have been possible. 

We sincerely believe that only with this unification of all our Karadjordjevic forebears from Karadjordje himself down to the present day generations in their holy resting place in the Royal Family Mausoleum in Oplenac - the lasting legacy of HM King Peter I, The Unifier - can the wounds of our troubled past continue to be healed. Their reburial together on Sunday 26th May means our beloved country can confidently look forward to a happier future with a more peaceful heart. The State Funeral on Sunday 26th May will be a historic moment, both of truth and reconciliation, and great rejoicing – Long live Serbia! (Zivela Srbija!)”

HRH PRINCE ANDREJ BIOGRAPHY

HRH Prince Andrej was born 26 June 1929 in Bled Slovenia and died 7 May 1990 in Irvine California. Prince Andrej was the third son of HM King Alexander I of Yugoslavia and HM Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, and younger brother of HM KIng Peter II.

After the Royal Family’s exile in 1941, Prince Andrej graduated in Mathematics from Clare College Cambridge and had a career as an insurance broker.

Prince Andrej firstly married HSH Princess Christina of Hesse the daughter of Prince Christoph of Hesse and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, out of which marriage were born Princess Tatiana and Prince Christopher (1960-1994).

Prince Andrej’s second marriage was to HSH Princess Kira of Leiningen the daughter of Prince Karl of Leiningen and Grand Duchess Maria Kirillovna of Russia. They had a daughter Princess Lavinia-Marie and two sons Prince Vladimir and Prince Dimitri.

Prince Andrej married thirdly Milica Andjelkovic, Princess Eva Maria and had no issue.

Note: The removal of HRH Prince Andrej's remains from Nova Gracanica Cemetery in Illinois and subsequent transfer to Serbia was performed in full accordance with the legal procedures and administrative requirements of the State of Illinois United States by three of Prince Andrej's children, namely HRH Prince Dimitri, HRH Princess Lavinia-Marie and HRH Princess Tatiana-Marie, after consultations with Prince Andrej's other heirs.

UK: Prince Harry in the USA

Prince Harry spent the fourth day of his American tour looking more like a politician than a prince, helping host the Wounded Warrior games in Colorado, posing for pictures, tossing a football and even cooing over a baby, which is perfect practice for the soon-to-be-uncle.

The last time his royal highness was in the United States, his antics made headlines while he made a splash in a Las Vegas pool. But this weekend, the closest he got to the water was teasing five-time Olympic medalist swimmer Missy Franklin, in light of her 18 th birthday on May 10.

"I had no idea about the birthday cake or singing or anything," Franklin told ABC News. "I asked him if he would help me eat it, but he said no, so I have to do it all by myself."

Continue reading...

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/prince-harry-making-rounds-across-america-121947260.html

©Reuters

PS: The last time jolly Harry was on our shores, he ended up in that Vegas mess. One hopes this time he will display a bit more sense and collect all photographic and cell equipment before the romps begin.

Serbia: Strong Support for Monarchy's Restoration

According to the poll done by Belgrade-based SAS Intelligence agency, 32.2 percent of citizens are strongly against the monarchy while 27.4 percent do not have an opinion on the issue.

The agency presented the results of the first poll on the renewal of monarchy and reputation of Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević in Belgrade’s Media Center on Thursday. 

SAS Intelligence Executive Director Miljan Premović explained that the poll was carried out between April 11 and April 16 and that a total of 1,615 people in 16 Serbian towns, Kosovo excluded, had participated in it. 

He said that the poll had been carried out in all regions, in both urban and rural areas and that it covered both sexes and citizens of various aged and that it had a 95 percent trust interval “which makes it good enough for scientific publications”. 

“The main person who inspired us to conduct the poll was in fact world’s leading nation-branding expert Simon Anholt who believes that Serbia is one of the countries with the highest chance to renew the monarchy. Therefore we decided to give the public an insight into one of the social topics that have not been researched and show the mood regarding the renewal of monarchy. The question resembles a possible referendum question: Should Serbia be a parliamentary monarchy? The sample completely reflects Serbia’s social-demographic structure without Kosovo, according to the 2011 census,” he said. 

According to him, men with a high school diploma and unemployed men from urban areas mostly support the monarchy while highly educated people and pensioners, primarily from Belgrade, are against it. 

Continue reading...

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2013&mm=05&dd=10&nav_id=86102

Russia: Amazing Photo Album Found in Obscure Siberian Museum

Another picture taken by the emperor dated 1916 shows Tsarevich Alexei - heir to an autocratic throne that would be abolished the following year - posing on a tree in winter with his beloved pet spaniel Joy. 

These images of the Russian royal family, captured in photographs taken by the Tsar himself or his children, mostly date from the years of the First World War, and some very soon before the Romanov dynasty crumbled, to be rapidly replaced by Communism. 

Found in a vault in Zlatoust, the album shows the private moments of the royals as the storm clouds gather over a dynasty that had ruled for more than three centuries. 

The smoking picture shows the youngest princess Anastasia, then 15, evidently imbibing from a cigarette with every encouragement from the Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. At the time there was not the same stigma attached to smoking and in fact a year earlier Anastasia had written to her father: 'I am sitting here with your old cigarette that you once gave me, and it is very tasty'.

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Serbia: Repatriation of the Remains of Queen Alexandra

FRom the Office of JHRH Crown Prince Alexander:

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine with her son Mr. David Andrews and High representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece H.E. Mr. Dionysius K. Kodellas and H.E. Mr. Dragan Zupanjevac, Ambassador of Serbia to Greece accompanied the coffin with the earthly remains of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra from Athens to Belgrade in the official repatriation ceremony. 

The Remains of HM Queen Alexandra were disinterred this morning at the Tatoi Palace Royal Cemetery in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Princess Irene of Greece, Mrs. Alison Andrews, daughter of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, and her daughter in law, the wife of Her Royal Highnesses’ son Mr. David Andrews, Dr. Angie Margaritis Andrews and Princess’ sister Mrs. Betty Roumeliotis and her husband Mr. George Roumeliotis, Professor Dr. Christos Bartsocas, Mr. Vaggelis Chronis, Mrs. Petros, Machas and his spouse Mrs. Evelyn Vougessis, Mrs. Irene Vassilopoulou, Mr. Manos Ioannidis, Mr. Thanassis Kyratsous, Dr. Zissis Boukouvalas and Mrs. Alkistis Prinou – President of Lifeline of Hellas, Mrs. Ioanna Germanou, Dr. Chrysanty Routzounis Konstadakatos, Mr. George Davlas and his spouse Mrs. Elena Davlas, Mr. Giannis Sahinis, Mrs. Anastasia Papamanolis, Mr. and Mrs. Nikos and Roe Konstantas, Mr. Vassilis Koutsavlis, President of Friends of Tatoi, together with Their Excellences Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Dragan Zupanjevac, Ambassadors of Montenegro Mr. Ivo Armenko, Hungary Mr. Jaime Barberis, Jordan Mr. Saker Malkawi, Switzerland Mr. Lorenzo Amberg and Mrs. Christiane Amberg, Ambassador Mr. Dionyssis Kodelas, Ambassador of Poland – Mr. Maciej Krych, Mr. Chronis and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis.

The Remains of HM Queen Alexandra were seen off by representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church at the airport in Athens His Eminence Metropolitan Athinogoras and Archimandrite Patrikio. 

At the Nikola Tesla Belgrade Airport the coffin with the Remains of HM Queen Alexandra was awaited for by Professor Oliver Antic, Special Advisor to President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Demosthenes Stoidis, Ambassador of Greece in Serbia, and His Grace Vicar Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

A memorial service for HM Queen Alexandra was officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia at the Royal Chapel of St Andrew the First Called at the Royal Compound in Dedinje. In his address afterwards, the Patriarch has emphasized: “We are grateful to the Lord that time when they have been forbidden to come back to their country, and to have a final rest at the country that members of Karadjordjevic Royal Family lived for is finally over. The huge injustice has been rectified, praise the Lord!” 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander gave a moving speech: ”Thank you all for gathering here today to pay respect to my mother, HM Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia. I wish to express my special gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej for being here today and for all his prayers. My mother got married to my father King Peter II while he was in exile during World War II. She shared with him the tragedy of being torn away from his country and his people. Soon they will be together in their eternal place of rest in Oplenac, thus fulfilling my great-grandfather’s King Peter I legacy to have all the members of Karadjordjevic family buried there. 

I thank to all members of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for their great support. I owe special gratitude to the State Commission for the transfer of Karadjordjevic family members' remains as well as to Prof. Oliver Antic, for his personal initiative and engagement in this undertaking. I would also like to express gratitude to the High Representative of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece H.E. Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas and Serbian Ambassador to Greece H.E. Ambassador Dragan Zupanjevac. I thank everybody who were persistent in helping this journey come true. 

We have brought the Queen to her country. Welcome home, mother! Eternal glory to her! “ 

Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Special Advisor to President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, also made an address : “After the Easter, we are witnessing symbolic and spiritual resurrection that our nation has been famous for. We owe a huge gratitude to the Serbian Orthodox Church, that has done so much, and that even took the role of the state when the state lost direction, to protect the state with its prayers and its wisdom. The sad Queen, as she was titled by the people, came back to her country.  We were privileged by the higher power, and were given a historic mission to undo a huge injustice and a great sin inflicted on father of Serbia Karadjordje Petrovic and his family, that was stripped of basic rights not just in life, but in death as well. Today we rectified that. Their Majesties King Peter II, Queen Maria and Queen Alexandra came back to their Serbia!“ 

Following the Church service a reception for state representatives, members of the advisory bodies to the Crown and Religious dignitaries took place at The Royal Palace.

Queen Alexandra was the daughter of HM King Alexander of the Hellenes and HRH Princess Aspasia of Greece and Denmark (nee Aspasia Manos). Queen Alexandra was born in Athens Greece 25 March 1921 and died 30 January 1993 in East Sussex England. The Queen was educated at Westfield, the junior school of Heathfield, then she went to Heathfield. Following schooling in England Queen Alexandra went to Mademoiselle Ozanne in Paris. The Queen was previously buried at Tatoi Palace Royal Cemetery near Athens.

HM King Peter II, HM Queen Alexandra and HM Queen Mother Maria will remain at The Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First Called until the State Funeral on 26 May in the Church of St. George Royal Mausoleum in Oplenac.

The Royal Chapel in the Royal Compound in Dedinje is open every weekend for visitation, on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 2 pm.

http://royalfamily.org/?184,en_repatriation-of-hm-queen-alexandra-remains-to-serbia

©SIte of the Serbian Royal Family.