Prince Philip and Princess Danica Visit Serbian Parishes in Canada

HAMILTON, ONTARIO — Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip and Princess Danica Karadjordjević, together with their children Prince Stefan and Princess Marija, visited the Serbian Orthodox communities of Hamilton on June 27 as part of a broader North American tour, meeting with clergy, parishioners, and youth from the local faithful.

The royal family first visited St. Nicholas Church on Barton Street before proceeding to St. Nicholas Cathedral on Nash Road, where they were received according to traditional Serbian custom with bread and salt offered by local children. Clergy from both Hamilton parishes, including Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dragomir Ninković and Protopresbyter Đuro Šamac, welcomed the visitors and presented them with a commemorative parish monograph while outlining the history of the local church communities.

Prince Philip expressed gratitude for the warm reception, noting the emotional significance of the visit and reflecting on the experience of diaspora life. He emphasized the importance of maintaining connection to the Church, tradition, and heritage while living outside the homeland, and recalled that his grandfather, King Peter II, had visited the same community in 1964. The prince also noted a personal family connection during the visit, as his daughter bears the name Marija, echoing Queen Marija Karađorđević, whose portrait he viewed in the cathedral.

Following the church visit, celebrations continued at Winona Vine Estates banquet hall, where guests were treated to performances by the Sloga Serbian Folklore School and a musical program by young artist Damjan Drača. The evening highlighted cultural continuity among younger generations of the Serbian diaspora in Canada.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Prince Philip and Princess Danica Karađorđević made a historic visit to the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.