The Serbian Royal Family remain unknown to many. However, this well-connected and extremely intriguing Dynasty has a history fit for a gripping fictional read.
From exile to adoration, the Serbian royals symbolise hope for many and remain largely unassuming considering their ties to a world of pomp and extravagance.
Continue reading to truly get to know the royal family that should be on your radar in 2025.
Does Serbia still have a royal family?
While the Serbian monarchy was illegally abolished, the current royals remain symbols of democracy in Serbia.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander who currently sits on the throne belongs to the Karadjordjevic Dynasty which was established in 1804. This followed the first Serbian revolution against the Ottomon occupation of the Balkans.
The leader of the revolution, George Petrovic, was confirmed as the ruler of Serbia and thus succession was conferred to the family.
While throughout history there were continuous international and external power struggles, it was during the First World War that the “Kingdon of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes” was mutually proclaimed under the rule of King Peter I, who was shortly after succeeded by his son King Alexander I.
Due to many ongoing years of internal rivalries and territorial threats, King Alexander reluctantly imposed a dictatorship over the new Kingdom of Yugolsavia. While he promised to restore democracy once tensions dissipated, he was assassinated in 1934 by Croatian extremists.
The heir to the throne, King Peter II was only 11, and Serbia was placed under the rule of multiple Regents.
Who is the king of Serbia now?
When King Peter II was of rightful age, World War Two was well and truly underway, and Germany had invaded Yugoslavia.
King Peter II joined other monarchs and world leaders in London. By the end of the war, Yugoslavia established a totalitarian communist Government.
In 1945 the monarchy was illegally abolished and King Peter II, his wife Queen Alexandra and their newborn son Crown Prince Alexander were stripped of their citizenship and exiled.
King Peter II remained in exile until he passed away in 1970.
Where do the Serbian royals live?
The royal family only returned to Serbia in 2001. Following the revolution in 2000, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander decided to move his family back to The Royal Palace in Belgrade.
The palace grounds are made up of the Royal Palace and the White Palace. While Alexander does reside here, it still to this day is considered confiscated private property.
HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia.
Crown Prince Alexander is the son of His Majesty King Peter II and Princess Alexandra of Greece and Denmark.
Due to the royal family being exiled, Crown Prince Alexander was born on Yugoslav territory in the UK.
The Crown Prince was baptised at Westminster Abbey in the presence of his godparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
In his formative years, His Royal Highness attended schools across the United States, Switzerland, Scotland and Millfield. He later attended the British Royal Military Academy where he was commissioned an officer in the Army.
Following his graduation from the academy, Alexander served in The Queens Royal Lancers rising to the rank of Captain. He then left in 1972 to pursue a career in international business.
Through meetings and ongoing relationships with former Yugoslavian democrats, His Royal Highness has proven himself as a staunch defender of democracy and a passionate advocate for human rights.
In 1970, his father King Peter II passed away. While the Crown Prince could assume his place as King he chose to remain with his present title due to the ongoing banishment of his family and conflict in his country.
Not long after, Alexander would start his own family. In July 1972, the royal married Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, the daughter of Prince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-Braganza and Princess Maria de la Esperanza of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The pair went on to have three sons before separating in October 1985.
HRH Crown Princess Katherine
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine is the second and current wife of Crown Prince Alexander.
Born in Athens in 1943, Her Royal Highness spent her formative years being educated in Greece and Switzerland. Katherine studied business in the United States at the University of Denver and the University of Dallas before moving into a career in business.
Crown Princess Katherine was also previously married and shares two children, David and Alison, with her ex-husband.
Katherine met the Serbian prince in Washinton DC in 1984. They were swiftly wed in London the following year.
HRH Prince Peter
His Royal Highness Prince Peter was born in 1980 and is the eldest son of Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança.
From an early age, Peter was fascinated by the world of art and creativity. Following his earlier studies, Prince Peter went on to complete an Art Foundation course at the Camberwell College of Arts in London. He then moved into a career in graphic design and art direction working between London and New York City.
While Peter is the rightful heir to the Serbian throne, the royal renounced his claim in 2022 for unknown reasons.
HRH Hereditary Prince Philip
Born in 1982, His Royal Highness Hereditary Prince Philip is the son of Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, and the fraternal twin of Prince Alexander.
After his eldest brother renounced his claim to the throne, Prince Philip became first in line.
Philip graduated from the University College London with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Humanities. He then attended the École hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland. His Royal Highness held employment with the Ritz Hotel in London and worked as a renowned global asset manager.
In 2017 Philip married Her Royal Highness Princess Danica. The couple have since had two children, His Royal Highness Prince Stefan and Her Royal Highness Princess Maria.
HRH Prince Alexander
Born in 1982, His Royal Highness Hereditary Prince Alexander is the son of Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança. He is also the fraternal twin of Prince Philip.
Prince Alexander is fourth in line to the throne after Philip’s son.
Alexander graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis on Public Relations and Journalism. The Serbian prince went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Advertising.
His Royal Highness currently works in internet electronic publishing in the United States of America.
