Prince Filip and Princess Danica Karadjordjevic Visited the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Hamilton

On June 27, 2026, the parish community at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Hamilton had the honour of hosting Their Royal Highnesses Prince Filip and Princess Danica Karadjordjevic, along with their children, Prince Stefan and Princess Marija, during their visit to Canada as part of their North American tour.

They were welcomed according to the old tradition, with bread and salt, by the future of the local community, Serbian children. The dean of the church, the parish priest of West Hamilton, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dragomir Ninkovic, and the parish priest of East Hamilton, Protopresbyter Djuro Samac, welcomed the prince and his family, and they introduced him to the history of this church community, presenting him with a church monography. In his welcoming speech, Prince Filip thanked them for the hospitality and said that he was very moved. He pointed out that, having been born in the diaspora himself, he knows that it is not easy to live outside the motherland, but that it is easier if we stick to our Church, history, tradition and people. He recalled that his grandfather, King Peter II, visited this community in 1964. He also had his photograph taken next to a portrait of his grandmother, Queen Marija Karadjordjevic. The church's inaugural Circle of Serbian Sisters was named Kraljica Marija (Queen Marija) in tribute to the beloved queen and Prince Filip's daughter is also named Marija in tribute to her great-grandmother which gave the photo a particularly meaningful connection.

May the Lord God protect the entire Royal Family and bless them with good health, wisdom, and strength for many more blessed years.