10 March 2013
Vecernje Novosti
Author: Marko Lopusina
HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER ABOUT THE BURIAL OF HIS ANCESTORS
IN MAY
I WILL FULFILL THE LEGACY OF MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER
THE REMAINS OF HM QUEEN ALEXANDRA AND HM QUEEN MARIA WILL BE
AT THE ROYAL CHAPEL IN DEDINJE UNTIL THE FUNERAL
The Royal Family of Karadjordjevic has recently officially
announced on its website that the state funeral of King Peter II, Queen
Alexandra and Queen Maria, who had lived and died in exile, will be conducted
on Sunday, 26 May at the Church of Saint George in Oplenac. As we were told at
the Royal Palace, Crown Prince Alexander II is currently putting a great effort
into organising the funeral of his father, mother and grandmother, and later on
his uncle Andrew, at. the Royal mausoleum.
"Her Majesty Queen Alexandra was buried at the cemetery of
the Tatoi Palace Royal Cemetery near Athens, and Her Majesty Queen Maria is
buried at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, which adjoins Windsor Castle.
The remains of my mother and grandmother will arrive in Serbia in April. They
will be laid at The Royal Chapel in Dedinje compound, where the remains of my
father, His Majesty King Peter II already are laid. This funeral will fulfill
the legacy of my great-grandfather King Peter I who wanted all the
Karadjordjevics to rest in one place," Crown Prince Alexander said in an exclusive interview with "Vecernje
Novosti."
The head of the Royal Family was born on 17 July 1945 in
London, at the Claridges hotel where his parents lived in exile. The British
government declared suite 212 Yugoslav
territory. His godparents were King George VI and his daughter, then Princess
Elizabeth, now Queen of Great Britain. It was thanks to Queen Elizabeth that
the Karadjordjevic family managed to survive the exile. The first to retreat to
England was Queen Maria, who, after the tragedy in Marseilles, where on 9
October 1934 King Alexander was assassinated, lived in retirement in a modest apartment in London.
"It was a painful and difficult time for her – The Regency
era, the rise of fascism, the political intrigue in Yugoslavia, war and very
traumatic exile to London. I visited my grandmother many times in London. She
was always very gentle with me. I was 16 when she died. My father and my
mother, my uncles, Prince Paul and Princess Olga were all at her funeral. I
remember vividly going to the private Burial Ground at Frogmore, where my
grandmother was buried next to her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria and her
husband, Prince Albert," recalls Crown Prince Alexander.
Crown Prince was educated at Le Rosey in Switzerland, then the Military
Academy Culver in Indiana, United States, Gordonstoun School in Scotland. After
he attended Royal Military Academy of Great Britain, the Crown Prince served as an officer in the British army. His uncle Tomislav was putting him through school since his parents
were separated. Crown Prince recalls in dear memories the life with his parents
" When I was a child, my parents lived in London at first, then France, Switzerland, Italy, United States. In exile my father was persecuted by longing for his country, his family and people. He longed to return to his roots. He loved his country, where he spent a happy youth. With joy he was showing me the home in Dedinje with excitement and showed me a picture of Oplenac. The father was hurt by false stories of him that were spread throughout our homeland. King Peter II never abdicated and never took no royal treasures. Neither artwork from the court. I'd like to know where are the missing works of art that used to be the Royal Palace," now Crown Prince asks.
For the first time Crown Prince Alexander speaks for public
about his life during the separation of his parents in 60’s:
"My parents never divorced. They had difficult times, but
always came back together. There was a lot of intrigue and games around my
parents. I would visit my parents often in different places where they lived
and we were a happy family."
After the death of his father, King Peter II, in Denver in
1970, Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic became the new Serbian king.
"As heir to the throne-I decided not to use the title of
king," says the Crown Prince, "I believed that it would be pointless in exile. At the
same time I was very clear in that time not to waive my rights and titles, or
dynastic right to the crown. And then, as now, I sincerely believe that the
only way for Serbia is to become a Parliamentary constitutional monarchy. My
role as King would be fixing up the image of Serbia in the world, mainly
through lobbying or through acquaintance with foreign leaders. Every Serbian
government needs to know they can count on me."
In the 90’s, the Crown Prince's mother, Queen Alexandra died in England. She was a Greek princess by birth.
"I was very sad and emotional. I am glad to say that my
mother, Queen Alexandra will soon be transferred to Serbia. Her remains will be
presented next to my father in the Royal Chapel – says the Crown Prince who has
been living in the Royal Palace since 2001.
"When we moved in 2001 to the Royal Palace, I had to sell
our property in London in order to obtain necessary refurbishments and
maintenance. By mid-2004 when the Royal Compound was returned to the State
budget, Karadjordjevic family financed it up keeping," says Alexander. "The transfer of the royal family remains back to Serbia for many represents gathering in unity of church, state and the dynasty.
"I am strictly fulfilling the legacy of my great grandfather.
Oplenac is truly a beautiful and special place.
There are some that think that this is a big step forward to national
and historic reconciliation. All great events harbor great work. The return to
homeland of my father, mother, grandmother and possibly uncle Andrej is one of
those historic endeavors. Joint commitment of government, the church and the
Royal House is completely natural.
"I wish to extend my gratitude for support understanding
and help to President Tomislav Nikolic and all members of The State
Reburial and transfer Committee, said Crown Prince Alexander.
"I love sports, especially skiing and diving. During my military
career I was a ski champion. Lately I play tennis and dive with special
pleasure in exotic seas," reveals Crown Prince Alexander.
NO COMPENSATION
"The funeral with state honors is in itself a significant
event. We do not need anyone to
apologize for the fact that we celebrate and honor history. Again, the event
cannot be an excuse for not doing some other serious and important things."
EXCITING FIRST TIME IN SERBIA
"My first arrival to
Serbia with my family in 1991 was packed with great emotions. Several tens of
thousands citizens welcomed us and I was much moved. It was a dream come true
and corner stone of my life."
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