Serbia’s Prince Stefan was christened in Belgrade yesterday by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia in Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called in the Royal Compound in Dedinje, Belgrade. His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, who married Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine and christened Princes Alexander and Philip, assisted the Patriarch.
Royal Palace Belgrade
The little Prince’s godparents were named as Prince Alexander, paternal uncle and twin brother of Prince Philip; Petra Lazarevic; and Dusan Antunovic. The latter two are close personal friends of Prince Philip and Princess Danica.
HRH Crown Princess Katherine, His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, TRH Prince Philip, Princess Danica and Prince Stefan, HRH Crown Prince Alexander, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, HRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, Mr Milan-Cile Marinkovic, Mrs Beba Marinkovic. Photo: Royal Palace Belgrade
The Prince was christened in the antique christening gown King Peter II wore at his christening in 1923. He was surrounded by close family including his grandfather, Crown Prince Alexander; step-grandmother, Crown Princess Katherine, his uncle, Prince Alexander; grandmother, Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança; and maternal grandparents, Beba and Cile Marinkovic.
Also in attendance was Prince Philip’s godmother, Princess Anne of France; Crown Princess Katherine’s sister, Betty Roumeliotis; Crown Princess Katherine’s son, daughter-in-law and grandson, David, Angeliki, and Alexander Andrews; and the President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Maja Gojkovic.
Prince Stefan with his parents and godparents. Photo: Royal Palace Belgrade
Stefan also became a member of the Royal Order of Karadjordje Star. According to the Royal Palace, “After the christening, His Royal Highness Prince Stefan acquired the right and obligation to be the bearer of the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Karadjordje Star (1st class), which is the highest decoration of the Royal House.”
They added in their press release, “The Royal Family thanks everyone who helped with the christening: Studio Maruska, Kovacevic, Aleksandrovic, Royal wineries, Art Ival chocolates, violin player Mr. Dragan Sredojevic, guitar player Mr. Nemanja Bogunovic, studio “SP video”, Herald of the Royal Household Mr. Ljubodrag Grujic, Ivkovic atelier, clergy of Belgrade-Karlovac Diocese and the School of Theology choir.”
Photo: Royal Palace Belgrade
In honour of Prince Stefan’s christening, the exhibition “Royal Ceremonies” was opened at the Royal Palace. It presents pictures of several ceremonies like the christenings of Crown Prince Alexander, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander, as well as the wedding of Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine.
Prince Stefan is the only child of Prince Philip and Princess Danica; Prince Philip is the son of Crown Prince Alexander and his first wife, Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe.
Prince Stefan was born on 25 February 2018 in Belgrade. His birth was the first of a Serbian prince in Serbia in 90 years. His father and uncles were born in the United States, and his grandfather was born in the United Kingdom.
