Duke's Lane June 2025

 

all photos @Katrina Warne

The first four photos are from June 18th at Duke's Lane.

June 17th

Thank you to Katrina Warne for allowing me to use her photos.   Duke's Lane is a great opportunity to see members of the Royal Family up close.

Norwegian Royal family celebrates 200th anniversary of the 1st Norwegian immigtation to USA

 

all photos: @Harvey Warne

On July 4, 1825, Restauration, a Norwegian sloop with 52 passengers, set sail from Stavanger, Norway, for the United States.  This was the first organized Norwegian emigration to America.   The ship arrived three months later in New York City, and the immigrants settled in Kendall in Orleans County, New York.

The Norwegian royal family participated in the 200th anniversary celebration of the Restauration's departure from Stavanger.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, King Harald, Queen Sonja, Princess Ingrid and Prince Sverre-Magnus

The King and Queen arrived in Stavanger on board the royal yacht, HNoMY Norge, and were driven to Stavanger Cathedral for a church service.  They were joined at the service by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, along with their two children, Princess Ingrid and Prince Sverre Magnus.

Queen Sonja celebrated her 88th birthday on July 4th.

https://www.restauration.no/en#map

British businessman Harvey Warne resides in Stavanger with his wife and two children, and they attended the celebrations, which included a service at Stavanger Cathedral.  This was followed by a US Army Europe and Africa band.  The Royal Family watched several music and dance performances.  Quee Sonja, who celebrated her 88th birthday on July 4th, was honored with a traditional Norwegian birthday dance.

After the performances, the King and Queen, along with the other members of the Royal Family, returned to the royal yacht to follow the Restauration on the first part of its journey. The modern sloop includes a diesel engine and radar.

The ship is scheduled to arrive at South Street Seaport in New York City on October 9th.

HarveyWarne took the photos and is the copyright holder.  Thank you, Harvey, for allowing me to use the images.

12 today

 @Josh Shinner

PRAYER FOR HEALTH AND PROGRESS OF THE CROWN PRINCE ON HIS 80th BIRTHDAY

 Belgrade, 17 July 2025 – On the occasion of the jubilee 80th birthday of HRH Crown Prince Alexander, a Prayer Service for the health and well-being of the Head of the Royal Family of Serbia was held today in the Palace Church of Saint Andrew the First-Called. It was hosted by HRH Hereditary Prince Philip, who initiated this prayerful gathering in honour of his father, and as a celebration for his dedicated service to the Crown, our people, and Homeland.

The church service was officiated by His Grace Bishop Peter of Toplica, Vicar Bishop of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, with the assistance of Father Mihailo Rapajic, the Palace’s chaplain, and Deacon Stevan Rapajic. It was also attended by TRH Princess Danica, Prince Stefan, Princess Marija, and Prince Alexander, as well as members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown. TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, due to unavoidable obligations abroad, could not attend. Still, His Royal Highness is deeply grateful to his sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, as well as all friends of the Royal Family, for marking his birthday in such a thoughtful and meaningful way. 

The symbolism of raising a joint prayerful voice to the Lord for the health and blessings of the Crown Prince of Serbia, in his home, among his people, on the day of his birth, which is at the same time the day of Royal family’s final return to the land of ancestors after decades of forceful exile, honouring his long-standing service to the obliging legacy of the Karadjorjdevic Dynasty and the people of Serbia even through the times on uncertainty and difficulty, is remarkable.

“As my father, Crown Prince Alexander, turns eighty, I feel a deep duty to pay tribute to a man whose life is at the same time a testament of history, moral steadfastness, and a silent sacrifice in the name of honour, homeland, and of ancestors”, said HRH Hereditary Prince Philip. “My father is not just the keeper of the family history. He is a bridge between the past and the future. He is a symbol of values that outlive regimes: honour, patience, peace, service, and hope. At a time when many were looking for what they would get from Serbia, he gave himself unconditionally to Serbia. And he continues to give.

Today, when I look at my father, I look into the mirror of steadiness. In an example of how to love a country without hatred. How serving people is measured by silence, work, and constant insistence on a culture of remembrance and respect. He is not just the keeper of the Crown. He is the keeper of values. On his eightieth birthday, as a son, I am proud. As a citizen, I am grateful. And as a man, I am deeply moved that in a time when ideals were crumbling, he was a rock that did not give way”. 

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2025/07/hereditary-prince-philip-offers.html

As a reminder, in his birthday message, HRH Crown Prince Alexander said: “Years are just numbers, so I don’t give much attention to counting birthdays. However, over the past eight decades, I have witnessed a great deal. I have also noticed how much not being united causes problems and trouble, and how it can destroy a nation and its future. That is why my birthday wish is for the people of Serbia to come together and focus on shared values rather than their differences. The future can only be built on harmony, mutual respect, and joint efforts. Our ancestors have taught us that. We must be worthy successors of their work and heritage.” 

All photos courtesy of HRH Crown Prince Alexander.

Happy 80th birthday to HRH Crown Prince Alexander

 

Times July 18, 1945

A happy, happy birthday to someone I consider a friend: HRH Crown Prince Alexander, who celebrates his 80th birthday today.  The Crown Prince was born on July 17, 1945, in Suite 212 in Claridge's Hotel in London. The room was declared to be  Yugoslavian territory.

I met HRH when I was writing my book,  Queen Victoria's Descendants.  In the early 1980s, I traveled from my home in New Jersey to Washington, D.C., to conduct an interview with him.  At the time, few believed that the Soviet bloc would fall like a house of cards.  Yugoslavia was not a part of the Warsaw Pact, but it was a Communist dictatorship, nonetheless.

One of my final comments to the Prince was this: I believe you will live in a palace in Belgrade, and I expect a dinner invitation?"

Fast forward to 2001, when Alexander's citizenship was restored, and he and his wife, Crown Princess Katherine, along with his three sons from his first marriage to Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Bragança, moved to the Royal Palace in Dedinje, Belgrade.

Four years later, Crown Prince Alexander celebrated his 60th birthday with a grand party.  The guests included the King and Queen of Sweden, as well as the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Prince Serge and Princess Eleanor of Serbia, the Duke and Duchess of Braganza, Princess Chantal of France and her husband, Baron Axel de Samboucy, Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Braganca, Prince Philippe and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, among others, and I.

Crown Prince Alexander said to me: You got your dinner invitation.  In 2010, I returned to Belgrade for the 25th wedding anniversary of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.  Three years later, I was a guest at the State Funerals for King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Marie, and Prince Andrej.

Trust me when I say: it is a privilege to know His Royal Highness.   When Queen Elizabeth II was in D.C. for a State visit in 1991.  The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were invited to the Garden Party at the British Embassy.  I also received an invitation, and I found myself standing next to them when the Queen stopped in front of us.   Crown Prince Alexander spoke to the Queen, addressing her as "Lilibet."   She was his godmother.

@Marlene A Eilers Koenig

@Marlene A Eilers Koenig

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2020/07/happy-75th-birthday-to-crown-prince.html

The Crown Prince's office issued a press release yesterday.

CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER’S 80th BIRTHDAY

Belgrade, 16 July 2025 – Tomorrow, on 17 July 2025, HRH Crown Prince Alexander will celebrate his 80th birthday. Born in exile, stigmatised as the enemy of the state when he was barely two years old, he overcame difficult obstacles on his path, one that was set for him to continue by his ancestors, members of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty. 

As often said, being a Royalty is not measured in power, but in purpose.

His Royal Highness extends his gratitude to everyone who will share the joy of this day with him and shares his birthday message: “Years are just numbers, so I don’t give much attention to counting birthdays. However, over the past eight decades, I have witnessed a great deal. I have also noticed how much not being united causes problems and trouble, and how it can destroy a nation and its future. That is why my birthday wish is for the people of Serbia to come together and focus on shared values rather than their differences. The future can only be built on harmony, mutual respect, and joint efforts. Our ancestors have taught us that. We must be worthy successors of their work and heritage.”

Crown Prince Alexander’s life story serves as a reminder of a person dedicated to serving the people and homeland, regardless of the difficulties and challenges that lay ahead. Part of this legacy is documented by a short biographical film, titled “On the Trail of Kings’ Heritage”. 

His Royal Highness invites everyone to watch the premiere on the Royal Family's YouTube channel, as well as on social media, on Thursday, 17 July at 11:00 AM (Serbian time).

As the viewers will see in the film, serving the people of Serbia and our country with dedication to a better future is the destiny and the highest obligation of each Karadjordjevic. Crown Prince Alexander will continue this path, which has also been taken by all his ancestors, as his highest duty in the years to come.

The birthday film will be premiered on the following links:

Serbian version – https://youtu.be/ofeNwlTcFxY 

English version – https://youtu.be/F2gvKRlHLtQ 

 

Accompanying photos – screenshots from the film