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Serbia royal couple in Houston to raise money for charity

HOUSTON - Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia are in Houston to raise money for the Serbian people.

Lifeline is Princess Katherine's charity. It raises money to bring healthcare and aide to the former Yugoslavia.

"All of these people, after 10 years of war, have really needed a lot of attention -- hospitals, orphans," she said.

Humanitarianism and educational improvements are a main objective for the royal couple.

"Little children come to the palace because we have visitors and schools and all that -- and say, 'Princess, where's your crown?' I say, 'It's in my heart,'" Princess Katherine said.

Growing up, the crown prince was a prince without a kingdom. He was born while in exile in London during World War II to King Peter II of Yugoslavia and Princess Alexandra of Greece and Denmark.

He was born in July 1945 in Suite 212 of the Claridge's Hotel. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ceded sovereignty over the suite to Yugoslavia so that the prince would be born in Yugoslav territory.

"The years of communism started and my father never returned to the country. He was very homesick. He's the only king buried in the United States, buried in Libertyville, Ill.," Prince Alexander II said

Having a normal life allowed the crown prince to see the needs of everyday people, instilling a true passion for helping those in need.

That passion has earned them the Virtuosi of Houston achievement award.

Dr. Meherwan Boyce and his wife founded the Virtuosi of Houston, which educates young musicians and gives them the tools needed to become true professionals.

The award will be given to the royal couple during a gala on Saturday night at the Intercontinental Hotel. Ticket sales from the event will go to the Virtuosi and to Princess Katherine's Lifeline organization.

The royal couple has four sons and one daughter.

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