Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: 75th birthday for A GREEK-BORN, SERBIAN 'PRINCESS' - KATERINA BATI, aka 'Crown Princess of Yugoslavia'.

The wife of the last Crown Prince of Yugoslavia has turned 75 last November 13. Born into a Greek commoner family as Κατερίνα Μπατή (Katherine Batis), she married to former Crown Prince Alexander (who claims kingship under the name of Alexander II Karađorđević, in case of the restoration of Serbian monarchy) in 1984, and is known for her notable charitable contribution since the former Royal family resettled in Serbia in 2001. Her Jubilee was celebrated in private with her immediate family, while the nexe day (November 14), she & here husband were among royal guests attending the Buckingham Palace banquet (in UK) for the 70th birthday of Charles, Prince of Wales. They have very close ties with the British Royal family, as Crown Prince Alexander was born in London shortly before the abolition of Yugoslavian monarchy (with the UK government temrorarily declaring the hospital room he was born a Yugoslav territory, so he would receive his country's citizenship by birth), with his godparents being the current Queen, Elizabeth II & her late father, King George VI. Her Royal Highness (Crown Princess Katherine) thanked everyone who extended her birthday wishes, while the royal family's official website published an annual film, about her activities in the past year (which is the first video bellow).

Attending the 70th birthday banquet of Charles, Prince of Wales,
the day after Katherine's actual 75th birthday.

Katerina Bati was born on 13 November 1943 in Athens, a daughter of Robert Batis & his wife Anne (nee Dosti). She was educated in Greece & Switzerland, and studied business in the US (Universities of Denver & Dallas) later working there in that field. In 2007 she also received a honorary degree in Doctor of Letters, from the UK' University of Sheffield.

Bati was married to the late Jack Walter Andrews from 1962, until their divorse in 1984. Together they have two children (David & Alison), and five grandchildren. Both her son & grandson (David's son Alexander) are godchildren of the current President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos. She met Crown Prince Alexander (also a divorsee & with three sons) in Washington, DC in 1984, and married in London, (both civilly & religiously) on 20 & 21 September 1985. Their best man was former King Constantine II of Greece & the late Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia (Alexander's uncle) acted as a witness. In her more than 30-year-marriage, they saw a lot of happy moments within their family, like the wedding of Alexander's middle son, the birth of his first grandson, & the marriages of some of Katherine's grandchildren as well.

As a titular 'Crown Princess', Katherine became involved in numerous charitable acivities, mostly related to children, elderly & generally those in need. Her patronges to humanitarian organizations include the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization with offices in Chicago, New York, Torondo, London & Athens. In 2001 she expanded her contribution to this organisation, creating The Foundation of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine, a similar organization in Serbia. The one is headed by Crown Princess Katerina, with its main office located in Belgrade, and branches in UK, US & other countries, as well. In 1991, the former Serbian Royal family first visited Belgrade, being warmly welcomed by local monarchists. After the 2000 Revolution in Serbia, the Crown Prince with his wife (Katerina) & three sons returned permanently to Serbia (2001), and were settled in the Royal Palace of Belgrade, the residence of Karađorđević dynasty, returned to them by the government.

Princess Katherine is still active with her charities & accompanying her husband in royal & national affairs (he participates in), both in Serbia and abroad. She is a polyglot, speaking in Greek, English, French, Serbian & Spanish, while her interests include music, books, cooking, theatre & skiing. In the last years, Princess Katherine has been vocal on vital issues of those in need (eg the Mediterranean refugees), visiting herself hospitals and rehabilitation centres she supports. Her Foundation keeps in frequent contact with Serbian ministries that play a crucial role in those issues, while also providing scholarships in cultural institutions, organising activities and other initiatives, that raise money for medical equipment (in children's hospitals) and other contributions, and inviting children from Orphanages to visit the Royal Palace each Christmas & Easter. The Mission of Crown Princess' Foundation is that "We work for the benefit of all those in need, regardless of ethnicity or religion since we believe that there are no borders in suffering.", something she also seems to support & be lifelong dedicated.