From Crown Prince Alexander's office
King Peter II now in Royal Palace Chapel
Belgrade, 22 January 2013–The casket of HM King Peter II of
Yugoslavia arrived at Belgrade Airport Nikola Tesla at 2 pm today. The grandson
of King Peter II, HRH Prince Alexander (grandson) accompanied the casket on the
King Peter II last flight home.
Meeting the casket of HM King Peter II at the airport were
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince
Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander, together with Crown Princess
Katherine’s daughter Alison, H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister of Serbia and
Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, advisor to the President of Serbia H.E. Mr. Tomislav
Nikolic, His Grace Vicar Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije and members of the
Committee for the transfer of remains of members of the Royal Family, with the
Serbian Army honour guard and
representatives of the Army of Serbia.
The Remains of the late King were then escorted by the
police to the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First Called beside the Royal
Palace in Dedinje, the casket was saluted by a great number of citizens all the
way from Belgrade Airport to the Royal Palace. The coffin of the late King, was
then covered by a Serbian flag and Royal Regalia, and was placed in the Royal
Chapel. His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia officiated the Requiem for the
King, together with Their Graces Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, Bishop Joanikije
of Budimlje and Niksic and Bishop Andrej of Remeziana, in the presence of the
Royal Family, Muhamed ef. Jusufspahic, Mufti of Serbia, other religious
leaders, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia, members of the Advisory bodies
to the Crown and a huge number of citizens of Belgrade and Serbia who gathered
in front of the Royal Chapel.
H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, the Prime Minister of Serbia, also
gave an address and expressed his satisfaction on behalf of the Government of
Serbia, citizens of Serbia and in his own name, for "we are present here
today at the first of the events planned for this year, that we bring back the
bodies of our rulers to Serbia. Without the lineage of Karadjordje, Serbian
history almost could not have been written. The Government of Serbia will do
anything in its power for the remains of the other Karadjordjevic family
members to be brought back to our country".
Professor Oliver Antic, PhD, advisor to the President of
Serbia and member of the Board for the return of the remains of the
Karadjordjevic Royal Family members, said: "the President of the Republic
of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic said that he is today here together with us
although he is paying an earlier planned official visit to a foreign country.
Our country is being protected by justice and tradition. When these two
elements are bonded, then we have the safety of the state and the people“.
After the service, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander
II, son of HM King Peter II, made a moving speech: “This is a very emotional
time for me and my family. It is a dream come true. My father King Peter is
finally home and soon to be with his ancestors in Oplenac. I would like to
especially thank His Holiness Patriarch Irinej for being here today, and for
all of his prayers. We gathered here today for this event full of dignity and
historic symbolism. This year is the 90th Anniversary of the birth of my
father, King Peter II, and 72 years since he had to leave his beloved country
after the Nazi invasion, and to spend the rest of his life in exile. My father
died forty two years ago, and was buried in a distant land, but surrounded by
friends and people who were devoted to him. He often spoke about his desire to
return home. Obviously, so much time had to pass by, so many historical events,
for one historical injustice to be rectified, and one simple human wish to come
true. It was my father's greatest desire to come back to his fatherland, because
above all he loved his country and his nation. He often spoke about that,
always when the two of us were together. Today, he finally came back to Serbia,
to the country of his ancestors and his compatriots. He is coming back to help
us to understand our history, and how to respect it. Today, all of us together
are sending an important message from this place to the world: The citizens of
this country pay respect to all of those who took part in creation of its
history.
I would like to warmly thank our President Mr. Nikolic, and
Prime Minister Mr. Dacic, on this joint endeavour, as well as the State
Committee for transfer of remains of he
members of Karadjordjevic Royal Family. I thank all members of the Government
for their support. I owe special gratitude to Professor Oliver Antic, for his
personal initiative and engagement.
The Royal Family warmly thanks His Holiness Patriarch Irinej
of Serbia, His Grace Bishop Longin of Middle and Western America, the Army of
Serbia, Guard and Gendarmerie, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Popovic, ambassador of Serbia
to the United States of America, Mr. Desko Nikitovic, Consul General of Serbia
in Chicago, Hon. Branko Terzic, lawyer Mr. Tom Karacic, Association “Sveta
gora” and all those who contributed substantially over previous years that this
event of historic importance for our nation and our state becomes possible.
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News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Welcome home, Father
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