Councilwoman Neylan Welcomes Serbian Crown Princess to Westfield

Councilwoman Joann Neylan didn't realize the role of alternate acting mayor involved international diplomacy until last weekend.

Neylan, as the representative of Mayor Andy Skibitsky, officially welcomed Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia to Westfield on Sunday. Princess Katherine was at Lord & Taylor to promote her humanitarian foundation and various causes in her country. The visit was timed for a charity ball benefiting the princess' charity being held Saturday in New York.

"She was here to promote her efforts," Neylan said of the princess' visit.

Princess Katherine, who is married to Crown Prince Alexander, founded the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization in 2001 to combat high rates of breast cancer and infant mortality in Serbia. In addition, the group works on causes relating to children and the elderly in Serbia.

Princess Katherine was born in Greece and attended both the University of Denver and the University of Dallas. She married Prince Alexander in 1985. Prince Alexander is the son of King Peter II, the last king of the former Yugoslavia. After living in exile, the crown prince and princess visited Serbia for the first time in 1991 after the fall of the Communist regime. Following the fall of dictator Slobodan Milošević in 2000, they returned to live in Belgrade.

The Serbian monarchy has no official role in the government of Serbia and is not considered official by the government, in the way that the monarchies in the United Kingsom or Denmark are. The Serbian royal family works on charities in the country and maintains a website.

King Peter settled in the United States following being deposed by the Communist regime in November 1945. Following his death in 1970 he was buried in Illinois.

Princess Katherine was promoting the Princes Ball being held for charity. The mascarade ball will be hosted at Cipriani 42nd Street and is being co-hosted by her step-sons, Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander. During her visit to Westfield, the crown princess discussed her charity and Serbian affairs with Neylan.

The second ward councilwoman briefed her Council colleagues about her visit with Princess Katherine on Tuesday and thanked Skibitsky for picking her to represent the town. She noted she learned a lot about the issues facing the Serbian people, particularly relating to health and social affairs.

"It was a great honor to be there on your behalf mayor," Neylan said.