In the Royal Palace - on Saint Apostle Andrew Day, the Patron Saint of the Serbian Royal Family
Special and exclusive report by Alex
Belgrade, Serbia, December 13, 2006. --- Tonight was the Slava of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II and Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine Karadjordjevic (and the entire Serbian Royal Family). Slava refers to paying tribute to a particular Saint patron of a family or institution. Slava is a tradition unique to the Serbian Orthodox Church only. Due to strained relations between the two branches of the Royal Family, unfortunately no other Royals were present. It would be so nice if all of them were celebrating the Slava together.
Location, Beli Dvor, or the White Palace, at the prestigious quart of Dedinje in the Serbian capital. So far I have been to quite a few receptions in Belgrade, but no other place has managed to boost so many of my emotions, as the Palace. Every time feels like the first time. I remember the first time I met the Royal couple. It was also their Slava a few years ago. My knees were shaking as I thought to myself: "This is it, Alex. This is what you have been waiting for, and wanting, so take it easy". I then met the Royal Family again at the Slava of the City of Belgrade, and I met Princess Elizabeth (Jelisaveta) at an icon exhibition, and I met Princess Linda just recently, at a panel on Kosovo. After that, I visited the Palace compound once as a tourist, and twice on business, when I visited the Foundation of Princess Katherine, located in one of the peripheral, small buildings within the compound. But, the Slava in the White Palace itself, that is something else. That is an event. You know the saying in America - everybody who is anybody wants to be there.
Here is how it went. First, I got invited in my own name and last name, which was great, because the previous time I did not go in my name. Rather, I was an "attachment" . Now that the invitation came in my name, so that is a step forward. After receiving the invitation, I sent an email where I gave the details of me and the lady accompanying me - who we are, what we do, etc. I confirmed our arrival and thanked them for the invitation.
Having a decent car, we arrived at the gate. The soldier belonging to the Guard of the Army of Serbia stopped us.
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
- May I see your invitation, please?
- Yes, you may.
He spent several minutes looking for our names in the list. Then he smiled, handed me back the invitation and said: "Here you go. Enjoy your stay".
- Thank you very much. I certainly will.
We parked the car and had to walk some distance because many cars were already there. We approached the main entrance. The state flag of Serbia (with the royal crown), outside. Red carpet. The works. I've always had this thing for red carpets. I guess that's because I must have watched Dynasty a lot when I was little.
It was so powerful. My date kept looking at every detail. For me, this was a re-run of what I have already seen, so I did not stare at every exhibit. After a lot of receptions, you get used to meeting important people, and after a few appearances in the media, you start to feel accustomed to it all, without feeling nervous. Or, at least you try to convince yourself that it is so.
Our host and hostess were standing there, patiently smiling and greeting everyone. I signed a comment in the Guest Book, in Cyrilic. I signed my name and it will stay there, forever. Just as I was really working on the cursive letters, for which Cyrilic is wonderful, someone pushed me from behind and I made a mess out of my writing. I gave that man the look...
Above the Crown Prince and Princess, a portrait of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia, who was the grandfather of the current Crown Prince. The street on which the Palace compound stands bears the name of another Alexander - Prince Alexander, who ruled from 1842 to 1858. Symbols of the Serbian Monarchy are all around us, but Serbia stubbornly still remains a Republic. One day, Alex, one day, all things will fall into place, I said to myself...
TO BE CONTINUED...