George, Crown Prince of Serbia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George |
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| Crown Prince of Serbia | |
Official portrait
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| Born | 27 August 1887 Cetinje Royal Palace, Cetinje, Montenegro |
| Died | 17 October 1972 (aged 85) Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Spouse |
Radmila Radonjić
(m. 1947) |
| House | Karađorđević |
| Father | Peter I of Serbia |
| Mother | Ljubica of Montenegro |
| Signature |  |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Serbia Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Years of service | 1903–18 (active service) |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
George, Crown Prince of Serbia (Serbian: Ђорђе Карађорђевић / Đorđe Karađorđević; born August 27, 1887 – died October 17, 1972) was the oldest son of King Peter I of Serbia. His mother was Princess Ljubica of Montenegro. He was also the older brother of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia.
In 1909, a difficult event involving his servant led to public pressure. Because of this, Crown Prince George had to give up his right to become king. Later, he bravely served in the army. He was badly hurt during World War I. This made him very popular in his country.
However, his younger brother, who was then King, became worried about George's popularity. In 1925, the King had George arrested. He was placed in a special facility and stayed there for almost 20 years. German forces freed him during World War II. After the war, he was the only member of the royal family allowed to stay in Yugoslavia.
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Early Life and Family Background
George was born into the House of Karađorđević. His grandfather, Alexander Karađorđević, had ruled the Principality of Serbia for a short time. However, the family had been in exile for nearly 30 years when George was born.
George's father, Petar Karađorđević (who would become Peter I of Serbia), married Ljubica, the oldest daughter of King Nicholas I of Montenegro. They lived in Montenegro, where George and his siblings were born. George was born in Cetinje and spent his early years there.
He had an older sister, Helen, and a younger brother, Alexander. His mother died when he was very young. After her death, his father moved the children to Geneva and then to Russia. In Russia, George studied at a military school.
Becoming Crown Prince
In 1903, when George was 17, he returned to Serbia with his family. This happened after a group of army officers took over the government. They made his father the new King of Serbia. As a result, George became the Crown Prince, meaning he was next in line to the throne.
Giving Up the Throne
Prince George was known for having a quick temper. In 1909, a serious incident occurred involving his valet (a personal servant). This event caused a big scandal.
Even though people tried to hide what happened, the truth came out. Because of the public outcry, George was forced to give up his right to become king. He tried to get his right back many times, but he was not successful.
War Service and Confinement
Prince George fought in the Balkan Wars and World War I. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Mačkov Kamen in 1914. After his father passed away, his brother Alexander became King.
There were disagreements between the two brothers. This led to Prince George's arrest in 1925. He was declared unable to manage his affairs and was placed in a special facility near the city of Niš. After King Alexander was assassinated in 1934, George hoped to be freed. However, he remained confined until World War II, when German forces released him.
Later Life and Marriage
After World War II, the Karađorđević family was declared enemies of the state by the new communist government. However, Prince George was allowed to live in Belgrade. He was the only member of the royal family permitted to stay in the country.
In 1947, at the age of 60, he married Radmila Radonjić. She came from a noble family in Montenegro. The couple did not have any children. George wrote a book about his life called Istina o mom životu (Truth About my Life).
He passed away on October 17, 1972, in Belgrade. He was buried in St. George's Church in Topola, Yugoslavia.
Interest in Mathematics
While he was Crown Prince, George became good friends with the mathematician Mihailo Petrović Alas. Petrović was hired to teach George mathematics. They enjoyed fishing together and even started a fencing club in Belgrade. Their friendship continued even during the difficult times in George's life.
Images for kids
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Official portrait
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George, Crown Prince of Serbia and Mihailo Petrović Alas, his mathematics tutor, posing beside a big catch
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Prince George's signature
