On Thursday, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia held a gala dinner in London. The royals visited the British capital to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Crown Princess Katherine’s charity organisation, Lifeline. They hosted the great gala dinner at Claridge’s hotel and Royal Central was invited.

The location of the dinner was no coincidence. The famous hotel is the birthplace of Crown Prince Alexander, making the evening especially poignant for the royal couple. The funds that were raised during the gala will go towards supplying children’s hospitals in Serbia with medical equipment.

Crown Princess Katherine greets Prince Philip and his wife, Princess Danica. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

In 1993, Crown Princess Katherine founded the Lifeline Humanitarian Organisation which currently has offices in Chicago, New York, Toronto, London and Athens. This organisation, together with the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation, works to collect money for medical equipment that has been delivered to numerous hospitals in Serbia. If you want to read more about the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation and the Lifeline Humanitarian Organisation, you can do so here.

All the guests queued to talk to Crown Prince Alexander. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

Serbia’s Prince Philip and Princess Danica were also present. Prince Philip gave an impassioned speech where he showed his concern for his parents and thanked them for their work. Crown Princess Katherine was the speaker who touched all the 200 guests. She was so moved that she cried from the stage while she thanked everyone who had helped her over the past 25 years. A charity auction was also held where jewellery, paintings and experiences were auctioned off. All the money raised goes directly to the Crown Princess Foundation to help Serbian children.

The paintings that were auctioned off to income for Serbian children. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

The Serbian royal couple has been working for many years to improve the situation of those who need extra support. Last year they took part in several special events including a charity evening and auction at the University Women’s Club in London to raise funds and awareness for the treatment of children with disabilities in Serbia. They also participated in a charity event in London in March 2018; which raised money for a new ambulance for a Serbian hospital.

Crown Prince Alexander to the left, Prince Philip to the right. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

When Crown Princess Katherine’s charity organisation, Lifeline, celebrated its 20th anniversary it also held a charity gala at Claridge’s in London. That event raised money for the Cerebral Palsy Society in Greece and the Children’s Home Foundation in Greece. In addition to the Serbian royals, the event in 2014 was also attended by Princess Beatrice of York.

Royal Central`s Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen was invited to the dinner. Next week Royal Central will bring you his exclusive interview with members of the Serbian Royal Family, so stay tuned.