Home of the Royal family of Serbia, the White Palace in Belgrade, was once again site of joyful children laughter and play, as HRH Crown Princess Katherine continues bringing joy to more than 1,000 children in need from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska for Christmas. TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine hosted once again the traditional gathering for children in need, enabling them to feel the joy of upcoming holidays.
“What brings special warmth to my heart each year is the possibility to bring joy to children for Christmas, making it possible for them to know that they are loved and cared for. This is a time when love, compassion, and kindness should guide us more than ever, so that we can bring warmth and comfort to these beautiful children. For many years, our Christmas receptions have been a cherished tradition, and each child’s smile is a precious reminder of why we must continue helping those who need us most.
I am deeply grateful to all our friends, supporters, and donors who make it possible for us to provide gifts and warm memories to so many children. The opportunity to enjoy every possible moment with our beautiful young guests, to give them our love, to make them feel at home and for them to know they are not forgotten, is a special blessing. It is the gift of its own, the biggest gift in the whole world. The White Palace and the Royal Palace are not just our home, they are the home for all of you”, said HRH Crown Princess Katherine on this occasion, rejoicing that, after her own personal battle and victory over cancer, she is again personally greeting the children.
Children without parental care, children with difficulties in intellectual development, and socially vulnerable children, aged one to fourteen, from institutions and associations throughout Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, had the opportunity to rejoice Christmas together with Their Royal Highnesses and friends of the Royal family of Serbia, sharing the spirit of this beautiful Christian holiday.
The events were supported and held in presence of Ms. Donna M. Sekulich, Esq, and Mrs. Melanie Sever, members of the Board of Directors of Lifeline
Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, which is the main supporter of this traditional manifestation, making it possible to be held, and Mrs. Betty Roumeliotis, the Crown Princess’s Katherine sister.
“Christmas is a celebration of hope, and it is my sincere wish that every child feels valued, protected, and loved. Together, we can ensure that the spirit of giving remains alive in the hearts of all, as there is no greater gift in life, than knowing you have made a difference, and no greater joy, than the Joy of Giving”, concluded HRH Crown Princess Katherine.
The highlight of these holiday events is the moment when Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine give gifts personally to the young ones, together with numerous friends. Christmas receptions for children in need is a tradition that Their Royal Highnesses started immediately after their return to Serbia in 2001, but it has its roots way back in the Karadjordjevic tradition, and in the similar gatherings at the Palace that were done during the time of the Kingdom.
The receptions were made possible thanks to great efforts of the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago and its benefactors who enabled once again for children in need in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska to feel the joy and love of Christmas. Thousands of gifts that were provided by generous donors of Lifeline Chicago, including clothing, shoes, toys, hygiene bags, and school supplies, were delivered today, but also yesterday, when Crown Princess Katherine visited four institutions in Belgrade together with guests from Chicago, and delivered the designated presents herself.
In addition to the packages, Lifeline Chicago and the Crown Princess Katherine Foundation in Belgrade this year as well organized the delivery of food for Christmas dinner for children in Homes, so that the youngest could enjoy a nice holiday meal.
Significant contribution was also made by children from Belgrade international schools who, together with their teachers, have joined the charity campaign “Children helping children” and brought gifts to the Palace, to be given to their peers in need on these receptions.
During the day, two receptions were held where children enjoyed wonderful gifts and spent time with Santa Claus, the animators from the ensemble “Cigra”, as well as a music program by the Children’s Cultural Center of Belgrade Choir. His Grace Bishop Peter explained the meaning of Christmas and its significance to the children and delivered them the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch.
This wonderful Christmas gathering was made possible with the great support of the Humanitarian Organization Lifeline, whose patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine, based in Chicago, which represents the main driving force behind these receptions.
The event was also generously supported by numerous donors, including the Embassy of Finland and the Embassy of Greece; companies such as Coca-Cola HBC, Jaffa Crvenka, Balon Centar, Marbo Product d.o.o., Atlantic Štark, and Click for Serbia; business associations including AmCham, the British–Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Hellenic Business Association of Serbia.
Special gratitude is extended to international schools in Belgrade: Brook Hill International School, International Primary School, the French School in Belgrade, the German School in Belgrade, the Russian School, and The British International School of Belgrade.
Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all the donors who generously helped with this year’s receptions for children and together made this holiday more meaningful for the young ones.
