Succession mess in the Royal House of Serbia

On Thursday 28 April 2022 it was revealed that Prince Peter of Serbia, eldest son of the head of the Royal House, Crown Prince Alexander, had renounced his rights to the Serbian throne the previous day.

The question about succession to the Serbian throne is of course only academic interest, as Serbia is a republic and unfortunately the chances of a monarchical restoration are very small. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was formally abolished in 1945, and since the 1990s the country has been divided into several independent countries, among them Serbia. So it makes more sense to refer to the Crown Prince and the other members of the Royal House as «of Serbia» and not «of  Yugoslavia». The official website is headlined «The Royal Family of Serbia», by the way.

The information about the renunciation came in form of a message posted by a person named Astrid Beatriz in the Facebook group Royalty Digest Quarterly. The translated statement by Prince Peter said among others that «By the act of abdication, I renounce for myself and all my descendants who were born or will be born in a marital relationship or out of wedlock. I transfer all the rights based on the birthright to the next one born after the eldership, my brother  Kraljevic (prince) Filip, which is an automatic process with this abdication and our sovereign wills; I do not waive the rights arising from the right to inherit the name, member of the Royal House, the title of Prince and all other rights and obligations that law and tradition give and impose on a family member».

The renunciation document was signed in Seville in Spain, where Prince Peter lives and works, with among others his sister Princess Maria Da Gloria of Orleans and Braganza and Duchess of Segorbe, his brother and sister-in-law Prince Philip and Princess Danica as well as representatives of the Orthodox Church of Serbia, as witnesses. Prince Peter said in the statement that he had informed his father the Crown Prince about his decision.

Prince Peter has given no clear reasons for his decisions, but considering the fact that he lives and works in Seville and has shown little interest in role the royal house plays in Serbia, it makes sense that he leaves the future headship to his younger brother Prince Philip, who lives in Belgrade, has married a Serbian woman and who already has produced an heir, Prince Stefan. I was puzzled by the way the renuncation came, as his father was not present when the document was signed. And today we got the following statement from the Crown Prince's Office:

STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL PALACE OF SERBIA REGARDING HEREDITARY PRINCE

Regarding the most current events in the Royal Family of Serbia’s line of succession, and the withdrawal of HRH Prince Peter from the position of Hereditary Prince, HRH Crown Prince Alexander, as the Head of the Royal Family, issued the following statement:

“Concerning the withdrawal of my oldest son Prince Peter from the line of succession, I wish him all the best for the future, good health, and happiness. I appreciate his honesty regarding the tough decision he made.

This issue was brought to me quickly, while I am abroad, due to previous obligations. Unfortunately, such a crucial and important procedure was not followed properly, in accordance with the tradition and rules of the Royal Family, and the Family Rulebook, which was written in the time of the Kingdom, and which all members of the Royal Family need to follow. This occurrence and procedure did not take place at the Royal Palace, in Serbia, with my presence and authority as the Head of the Royal Family, with the blessing of our Holy Church and with Crown Council participation in the process, but in a foreign country, without a good reason for performing such important matter away from our homeland.

The Royal Family of Serbia will continue to serve the people with dedication, honesty, and loyalty, which is the obligation and duty for us”, stated HRH Crown Prince Alexander. 

The texts of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Serbian Royal Family Book of Rules, 12 September 1909 and the Yugoslavian Royal Family Book of Rules, 5 April 1930 can be found in the important documents section of the official website. The documents used to be at my old website (I was the one who provided the English text of the Constitution to the Crown Prince, by the way), so I will try to get those pages back and running soon.

The documents are of course not legally binding anylonger, but it seems that most members of the Royal House has respected the regulations and the headship of King Peter and later Crown Prince Alexander since the monarchy was abolished in 1945. It is a bit sad that Prince Peter could not show his father more respect and get things sorted out «the right way». The Crown Prince has been subjected to a fait accompli, so some way or another he has to accept his son's decision. But now we have a situation where there is an unilateral and «unconstitutional» renunciation and as of now we don't know if Prince Peter would be willing to respect his father's wishes for a procedure in accordance with the family rules. I really hope the mess will be sorted out eventually.

Updated on Sunday 1 May 2022 at 02.10: One paragraph was edited, as it has come to my attention that no members of the Crown Council was present at the renunciation ceremony after all, cf. Marlene Koenig's updated blog article. She also writes that «Serbia media identified  Nikola Stanovic as the Crown Prince's Chief of Staff.  He is not Crown Prince Alexander's chief of staff. Ljubodrag Grujic, who served as the Crown Prince's Herald, and was present for the ceremony,  is no longer in that official position.»

Serbian royal birth

Prince Mihailo and Princess Ljubica of Serbia (Yugoslavia) became parents to baby girl born in Belgrade on 26 December 2018 at 10:15 a.m. According to the Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander, the new princess has received the name Natalija.

Prince Mihailo (Michael), b. 1985, the youngest son of Prince Tomislav (1928–2000) by his 2nd wife Princess Linda, née Bonney, married Ljubica Ljubislavljevic in 2016. Prince Mihailo is a first cousin of Crown Prince Alexander.

This was the second royal birth in Belgrade this year. Prince Philip and Princess Danica, née Marinkovic, became parents to a boy, Stefan, in Belgrade on 25 February 2018. Prince Stefan's christening took place on 15 December 2018 in the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called in the Royal Compound in Dedinje, Belgrade. Prince Philip is the second son of Crown Prince Alexander by his first wife Princess Maria da Gloria of Orléans-Braganza.

Royal birth in Serbia

The Office of Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia released the following statement this morning concerning the birth of a new prince of Serbia:

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine announce with joy that the Royal Family just gained a new member. HRH Princess Danica, the wife of HRH Prince Philip, gave birth to a son Stefan, in Belgrade on Sunday, 25 February 2018 at 10:30 am. 

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, the bells of Belgrade’s St. Sava temple rang as signal of the birth of the new born of the Karadjordjevic Royal family, and this was the first time in history that 49 bells of the biggest orthodox temple in Balkans will announce such a birth. The bells of St. George church in Oplenac rang as a sign of the birth as well. 

The mother and the baby are doing well. [...]

This male birth is the first one in the Royal Family in Serbia for 90 years when HRH Prince Tomislav was born in Belgrade, who was the brother of HM King Peter II, the grandfather of HRH Prince Philip.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip is the fraternal twin of Prince Alexander and second in line to the Throne after Hereditary Prince Peter. He is the son of HRH Crown Prince Alexander and HRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans Bragança. Prince Philip is the grandson of HM King Peter II and HM Queen Alexandra. His Godparents are HM King Constantine of the Hellenes, HM the Queen of Spain and HRH the Duchess of Calabria.

Prince Philip was born at Falls Church, Virginia, USA on 15 January 1982. He married Danica Marinkovic, b. Belgrade 17 August 1986, in the Saborna Church in Belgrade, Serbia on 7 October 2017.

Serbia: Crown Prince Alexander lays wreath at monument to Prince Milos Obrenovic

Photo: TheMiner, WikipediaCommons.

The Office of Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia (Yugoslavia) published a rather interesting article yesterday, 5 April 2015, which was Palm Sunday according to the Orthodox Calendar:

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine, Mr Dusan Babac, member of the Privy Council, Prof. Dr Bragoljub Kavran, Mr Predrag Markovic and Mr Darko Spasic, members of the Crown Council, laid a wreath at the monument to Prince Milos Obrenovic in Belgrade, on the occasion of today’s religious holiday Palm Sunday, since it was on this holiday exactly 200 years ago in 1815 Serbian headmen (“knezovi”) gathered in Takovo and asked Milos Obrenovic to be the leader of the uprising, which he accepted.

The Crown Prince on this occasion said: “Honouring Prince Milos Obrenovic today, we pay homage to Serbian history and magnificent efforts of our forefathers to establish the modern Serbian state. The Second Serbian Uprising, which was initiated on Palm Sunday in 1815, gave immeasurable contribution to achieving this goal, continuing the path of Serbia and the Serbian people to freedom, which was started by my great ancestor Karadjordje. Today, we have to continue that way, without divisions, boldly and decisively, respecting our ancestors and thinking about the future of our descendants. Glory and praise to Prince Milos Obrenovic and all the participants of the Second Serbian Uprising”- said Crown Prince Alexander.

You will find photos of the event if you follow the link above. The last time I visited Belgrade was in 2008, but I didn't take any photos of the monument.

Prince Milos Obrenovic (1780-1860) reigned as Prince of Serbia from 1817 to 1839 and from 1858 to 1860.

Takovo is today a small village in the municipality of Gornji Milanovac about 2 hours' drive from Belgrade.

Royal reburial in Serbia, Part II

The reburial of the (former) Yugoslavian Prince Paul (Pavle) (1893-1976), Princess Olga (1903-1997), née Princess of Greece, and Prince Nicholas (Nikola) (1928-1954), took place at Oplenac on Saturday 6 October 2012.

The Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia (Serbia) issued the following press release after the ceremony had taken place:

ROYAL FAMILY, PRESIDENT OF SERBIA, SERBIAN CHURCH AND SERBIAN PEOPLE PAY RESPECT TO PRINCE PAUL, PRINCESS OLGA AND PRINCE NICHOLAS IN OPLENAC

Belgrade, 6 October 2012 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, their sons, Hereditary Prince Peter and Prince Philip, Prince Alexander (son) and Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Prince Paul and Princess Olga), other members of Kradjordjevic Royal Family, together with H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of Serbia, Arhierarchs and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, representatives of Parliament of Serbia, Serbian Army, members of other Royal Families, and a great number of citizens from all over Serbia, Republika Srpska and abroad, representatives of diplomatic corps, paid final respect to TRH Prince Paul, Princess Olga, and their son Prince Nicholas, who were buried at St. George church in Oplenac today.

The coffins with the remains of TRH Prince Paul, Princess Olga and Prince Nicholas, covered with Serbian flags and Karadjordjevic insignia were brought into the church with a salute from the Serbian Army Guard. Then the Holy Liturgy for the dead and Requiem was served by Their Graces Bishop Pahomije of Vranje and Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, with the clergy of Sumadija diocese.

At the church service there were also present TRH Prince Nicholas of Greece, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Barbara, Princess Linda, Prince George, Prince Michael, Prince Vladimir and Princess Brigitta, Mrs. Catherine Oxenberg and Mr. Nicholas Balfour (grandchildren of Prince Paul and Princess Olga).

After the Liturgy and the Requiem, and the laying wreaths took place, H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, HRH Princess Elizabeth and HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, delivered speeches before the reburial.

President of serbia, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, said that Serbia was releaved of a great burden today. “We are burying them at the Holy Serbian land, at the church built by King Peter I”, President has stressed out.

HRH Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Prince Paul and Princess Olga, said that a great injustice has been rectified, and a deep wound has been healed, and thanked President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic for his support in bringing back to Serbia her beloved ones.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander emphasized in his speech: “This is a historic moment for our family, but also very important event for our nation. My late father, King Peter II, who is unfortunately still buried abroad, always spoke with kindness and affection about Prince Paul and Princess Olga. I have dearest memories of meetings with them from my youth. Let us all pray to God at this solemn and sad event today for unity and prosperity of our Serbia, at the bier of this great statesman and patriot”.

TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter and Prince Philip will host a reception on this solemn occasion for the Family, high officials, church dignitaries, members of foreign royal families from aborad and ambassadors at the White Palace at 8 pm this evening.

See also B92.net's article Remains of Serbian royals laid to rest, published 7 October 2012, and my earlier blog article on the subject, Royal reburial in Serbia (Part I), published on 5 October 2012.

Hopefully it will not take too much time before also the remains of King Peter II (1923-1970), King of Yugoslavia 1934-1945, currently buried at the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois, will be brought to Serbia for reburial at Oplenac.

See my earlier blog article on this subject, Serbian royals visit the grave of King Peter II, published on 9 November 2009.

Updated on Wednesday 10 October 2012 at 13.30 (King Peter II's burial place corrected, link added).

Royal reburial in Serbia, Part I

The remains of the Prince Paul (1893-1976), Princess Olga (1903-1997) and Prince Nicholas (1928-1954) of Yugoslavia, who have been interred in a cemetery in Lausanne, Switzerland (Cemetery Bois-de-Vaux), were transported to Belgrade, Serbia on Thursday 4 October 2012. A Holy Litury was held at the St. Michael's Cathedral in Belgrade later the same day. The reburial takes place on Saturday 6 October 2012 in the crypt of St. George Church at Oplenac. The ceremony will be held with full state and religious honours.

The Office of the Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia (Serbia) issued the following statement yesterday:

THE ROYAL COUPLE ATTEND HOLY LITURGY IN HONOUR OF PRINCE PAUL, PRINCESS OLGA AND PRINCE NIKOLA AT ST. MICHAEL'S CATHEDRAL

Belgrade, 4 October 2012 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended this evening the arrival of the remains of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Paul, Princess Olga, and their son Prince Nicholas.

A Holy Liturgy was officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and the Hierarchs of Serbian Orthodox Church Their Graces Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, Vicar Bishop Porfirije of Jegar and Vicar Bishop Andrej of Remesiana at St. Michael's Cathedral in Belgrade.

The three coffins were brought into the Cathedral after the playing of the National Anthem of Serbia "Boze pravde“.

The President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Ivica Dacic, Speaker of the House H.E. Mr. Nebojsa Stefanovic, HRH Prince Alexander (son) and HRH Princess Barbara, HRH Princess Elizabeth (daughter), HRH Princess Linda, HRH Prince George, HRH Prince Michael, HRH Prince Vladimir and HRH Princess Brigitta, Mrs. Catherine Oxenberg (daughter of HRH Princess Elizabeth),as well as ministers from the Serbian government, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and other officials were present at the arrival and during the Cathedral ceremony.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with their sons His Royal Highness Hereditary Prince Peter and His Royal Highness Prince Philip will attend the ceremonies that will take place on Saturday, October 6 with other members of the Karadjordjevic Royal Family and distinguished guests at the St George Church at Oplenac, which will be held with full state and religious honours.

See also B92.net's article 28 September 2012, Serbian royals exhumed ahead of burial in homeland, as well as a photo of the former grave of Prince Paul at Gravestone.com and Findagrave.com.

Later article: Royal reburial in Serbia, Part II, published 7 October 2012.

This article was last time updated on Sunday 7 October 2012 at 20:05 (link added, subject title modified).

Gala dinner for Princess Ira of Fürstenberg

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia hosted on Saturday 17 April 2010 at the White Palace in Belgrade a gala dinner party for HSH Princess Ira of Fürstenberg on the occasion of her 70th birthday, cf. the press release of 18 April 2010.

Among the guests were:

HSH Prince Sebastian of Fürstenberg (brother)
HSH Princess Elisabetta of Fürstenberg (latter’s wife)
HSH Princess Virginia of Fürstenberg, Mrs. Polenghi (their daughter)
HSH Prince Hubertus of Fürstenberg (*)
HH Prince Amyn Aga Khan
HSH Prince Pierre of Arenberg
HSH Beatrice of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
HSH Princess Gunilla of Bismarck
Prince Carlo Giovanelli
Princess Laure de Baeauvau Craon
Princess Marina Pignatelli
Baroness Januaria Piromallo
Count and Countess Schönburg
Count Carl Anton Goess Saurau
Countess Marcella del Majno
Count Marco Camerana
Count Rudy Brescia
Countess Beatrice von Hardenberg de Borbon
Baroness Estelle Mentzingen
Baroness Helen de Ludinghausen
Lord and Lady Powell
Senator Mario D’Urso (Italy)
Clemens Koja, Ambassador of Austria with wife
Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy with wife
Mary Bruce Warlick, Ambassador of the United States
Nils Krister Bringeus, Ambassador of Sweden
Mercedes Felicitas Ruiz Zapata, Ambassador of Mexico
Igor Jovovic, Ambassador of Montenegro with wife

(*) I wonder if it was actually Prince Hubertus of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Princess Virginia (Ira) of Fürstenberg is the oldest child of Prince Tassilo of Fürstenberg (1903-1989), by his first wife Claire Agnelli (b. 1920). Princess Ira was born in Rome on 18 April 1940. She married first Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1924-2003) in 1955 (divorced 1960) and secondly in 1961 (divorced 1964) Francisco Pignatari (1916-1977).

As happened to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's celebrations, several guests invited to Princess Ira's party had to cancel due to the closed airspace.

Updated on Sunday 18 April 2010 at 18.50.