Crown Prince Alexander not invited to battle anniversary

DANAS – Royal Family not invited to the Battle of Kolubara Anniversary

17 December 2014

Author: Jelena Tasic

 

Royal Family not invited to the Battle of Kolubara anniversary

Karadjordjevics  ignored Belgrade

 – Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic, the grandson of the supreme commander of the Serbian army in the First World War, was not invited to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Kolubara, nor the official protocol included laying his wreath in honour of the fallen soldiers in this battle – confirmed the Royal Palace PR to “Danas”.

At the Palace, they consider it was a “malicious failure not to invite Crown Prince Alexander, not only to the celebration of the Battle of Kolubara, but also the Battle of Cer, as well as to the other public celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, because the descendants of Serbian Voivodas Stepa Stepanovic and Zivojin Misic were invited”.

They also point out that Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in his speech did not mention King Peter I and King Alexander.

Yesterday it was not possible to get an answer from the Government of Serbia who determines the protocol in such situations. The Ministry of Labour, Employment, Social Affairs and Veterans told “Danas” they were not responsible for the guests and it is in the competence of the Ministry of Culture’s Committee for marking 100 years since the beginning of the First World War. The Ministry of Culture, however, claims they have nothing to do with it, and that it is the job of the special Committee for preserving the tradition of the liberation wars at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Social Affairs and Veterans.

Prince Alexander, however, did attend the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Kolubara last week in Lazarevac, as the guest of Serbian Patriarch Irinej and Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, and, as announced by the Royal Palace, “laid a wreath and paid tribute to the memory of the Serbian warriors who gave their lives for king and country”.