State Funeral Day One

A bit overcast this morning in Belgrade.

Members of the Serbian Royal Family attended  a Liturgy at Royal Chapel.  The service began at 9:00 a.m., and ran for an hour. This was followed by a 15 minute Memorial Service at the Royal Chapel.

The funeral cortege left the Royal Palace shortly after the end of the Memorial Service, for a 15 minute drive into Belgrade.  A number of streets were cordoned off to allow the cortege to avoid traffic.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m., the cortege arrived in front of the Saborna Church in Belgrade.  One by one, with military precision, the four coffins contained the remains of King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Marie (Consort of Alexander III).   The  four coffins were placed on plinths in the center of the small church,  Four persons had the honor of carrying the Orders of the four members of the Royal Family.

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine were the first to enter and were followed by other members of the Royal Family, including one of the Crown Prince's sons, Princess Katarina, Prince Vladimir and Princess Birgitta and Princess Elizabeth. 

The lighting was poor so it was difficult to take good photos.  Guests at the service included members of the Serbian government and the general public.

Afterward, the public could pay their respects.

The sun has now come out, and off to play tourist.  There is an exhibition on the Kargeorgevitches at one of the museum

Tomorrow another Liturgy (2 hours) followed by a Memorial Service at the Saborna Church.

Afterward the coffins will be transferred to the Oplenac Museum. A second Memorial Service will take place at St. George's Church at 1:15 tomorrow.

The public will be allowed to pay their respects from 1:30 p.m. until 8:00

Among the royals expected to attend:  King Constantine II and Queen Anne Marie of the Hellenes,  King Simeon of Bulgaria,  Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania,  Prince Amyn Khan,  the Margrave and Margravine of Baden, Prince Serge and Princess Eleonora of Serbia,  Prince Dushan of Serbia (son of Prince Alexander), Archduke Sandor and  Archduchess Herta of Austria (son of Archduke Dominic), Prince Philippe and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein.

Prince Andrej, Queen Alexandra, King Peter II and Queen Marie