Their Royal Highnesses Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica, together with their children, Prince Stefan and Princess Maria, will be in Chicago from 19 to 24 June, among the Serbian people who have, for generations, with love and devotion preserved their faith, tradition and national identity far from their homeland.

This visit represents the first official introduction of Hereditary Prince Philip and his family to the Serbian community in the United States of America, continuing the tradition of close relations of the Royal House of Karađorđević with the Serbian people in the diaspora, which has lasted since the 1940s.

At the same time, this historic visit is a powerful confirmation of the unbreakable ties that connect the Crown, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian people around the world. Its goal is to further strengthen the ties between the homeland and the diaspora, support the preservation of the Serbian language, faith, culture, and national identity, and encourage new generations of Serbs in the diaspora to remain firmly connected to their spiritual and historical roots.

During his stay in Chicago, several ceremonial, spiritual, cultural, and charitable events dedicated to unity, mutual connection, and the preservation of the rich heritage of the Serbian people will be organized.

– Program of the visit

Royal Dinner, 19 June

St. Nicholas Church, Lyons

The visit will begin with the traditional “Royal Dinner”, a festive and charitable gathering of the Serbian community, which will provide an opportunity to meet Their Royal Highnesses and discuss joint projects of importance to the Serbian people in the Diaspora.

Vidovdan Liturgy and Ceremonial Reception, 21 June

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Chicago

The Holy Hierarchical Liturgy will be officiated by His Eminence Archbishop of Novogračanica and Chicago and Metropolitan of the Midwest America Mr. Longin, with the concelebration of the clergy of the Cathedral Church.

After the Holy Liturgy, a festive lunch and traditional Vidovdan program will be held in the Cathedral Church hall.

Since the visit takes place during the days dedicated to Vidovdan, one of the most significant dates in Serbian history and spirituality, the central gathering will be dedicated to the preservation of the historical memory, spiritual heritage and national identity of the Serbian people. Vidovdan has remained a symbol of loyalty to the ideals of freedom, sacrifice, honor and responsibility towards future generations throughout the centuries, values ​​that still unite Serbs around the world today.

Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the younger generations in preserving the Serbian language, culture and Orthodox faith in the Diaspora, as the foundation of the future of the Serbian people outside the borders of the Fatherland.

Monastery of Saint Sava, Libertyville, 21 June

Their Royal Highnesses will attend the Memorial Service for late His Majesty King Peter II Karađorđević, after which they will lay a wreath at his former grave in the monastery complex.

This act will pay tribute to the grandfather of Hereditary Prince Philip, the last reigning Serbian King, whose life path and historical legacy occupy a special place in the collective memory of the Serbian people and represent an important part of Serbia’s history in the twentieth century.

Meeting with representatives of the Serbian community and presentation of the “Serbian Camp” project, 22 June

Restaurant “Ambar” – VIP lounge

Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica will meet with leaders of the Serbian community, representatives of cultural and artistic societies, folklore ensembles and Serbian organizations from the greater Chicago area.

A special emphasis of this year’s visit will be placed on the education of young people, the preservation of the Serbian language and the strengthening of ties between the homeland and the diaspora. On this occasion, a new humanitarian and educational project under the patronage of Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica will be presented — “Serbian Camp”, which will bring together children from Serbia, the Republic of Srpska, Montenegro, Croatia and the Serbian diaspora around the world from 2027.

Through educational, cultural, sports and spiritual programs, this initiative aims to strengthen the bonds between young people, preserve the Serbian language, tradition and national identity, as well as create lasting friendships among future generations of the Serbian people.

As part of the promotion of this project, Their Royal Highnesses will also visit the 2026 Summer Camp of the Cathedral Church, where they will learn about the work of programs intended for children and young people of Serbian origin.

A special place in the program of the visit will also be the Academy of Saint Sava, which for more than two decades has been one of the most important educational pillars of the Serbian community in North America. As the only Serbian Orthodox parochial elementary school in this part of the United States, the Academy today educates more than 200 students, successfully combining the American curriculum with the cultivation of the Serbian language, history, culture and Orthodox faith. Her work testifies to the strength and dedication of the Serbian community in preserving its identity and passing on its values ​​to future generations.

“Princess’ Evening”, 23 June

Pella Signature, Burr Ridge

The visit will conclude with a special evening dedicated to ladies, during which Her Royal Highness Princess Danica will give a lecture on the topic: “The Modern Woman between Tradition and the Future”.

A cocktail party and socializing with guests will follow the lecture.

Their Royal Highnesses express their joy at the upcoming meeting with the Serbian community in Chicago and their gratitude to all those who, with their work and dedication, have been preserving the Serbian name, the Orthodox faith, and their love for the Fatherland for decades.

The visit to Chicago represents another step in strengthening the ties between the Royal House and the Serbian people in the Diaspora, with the conviction that through joint work, mutual understanding and the nurturing of common values, the rich spiritual, cultural and national heritage of the Serbian people can be preserved and passed on to future generations.

Reservations for the “Royal Dinner” and the “Princess’ Dinner” can be made by calling (708) 981-5244 or by emailing [email protected]