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Today was a special and historic day for the Institute for National and International Security – INIS. We had the exceptional honor and pleasure of welcoming Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević and Crown Princess Katherine Karađorđević to the Institute’s headquarters.
The visit carried particular symbolism because INIS is headquartered within a historic complex built in 1922 as the Royal Artillery complex. Their Royal Highnesses showed great interest in the history of the entire complex, its original purpose and its present-day function, and particularly in the building that now houses the Institute. The Royal Couple were visibly impressed by the excellent state of preservation of this historic building and by the care devoted to maintaining its original character and heritage.
During the meeting, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine expressed strong interest in INIS’s work and international development. They were particularly interested in the Institute’s numerous members, the countries they come from, and how INIS has built an international network bringing together scholars, researchers, university professors, security professionals, and other distinguished individuals from different parts of the world.
Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to the history of INIS, whose roots date back to 1975, as well as to the pivotal developments of 2018, when the Institute began operating independently and developing its present international, institutional and scientific profile. We presented the Institute’s numerous activities, professional training and educational programs, scientific research and international cooperation, as well as the conferences and professional events that INIS organizes in Serbia and co-organizes with partner institutions worldwide.
We also devoted special attention to the Security Science Journal, an important part of INIS’s academic activities and a platform connecting authors and researchers from different countries and disciplines. We also discussed the importance of developing Security Science as a contemporary scientific approach, strengthening the links between academia and practitioners, and the role of international cooperation in understanding emerging security challenges.
During their tour of the INIS headquarters, Their Royal Highnesses also visited two separate exhibitions dedicated to two outstanding figures of Serbian and world science – Mihajlo Pupin and Milutin Milanković. Their lives and achievements represent remarkable examples of how Serbia can connect with the world through knowledge, science and creativity, values that are also deeply reflected in the international mission of our Institute.
A particularly solemn moment of the visit was the presentation of the Grand Golden Plaques of the Institute for National and International Security – INIS, awarded individually to Their Royal Highnesses in recognition of their longstanding contributions to Serbia, humanitarian values, peace and international understanding.
The Grand Golden Plaque was presented to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević “in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the preservation of Serbia’s historical and statehood heritage, and to the advancement of peace, international understanding, and cooperation among peoples and nations.”
The Grand Golden Plaque was presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine Karađorđević “in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian work, philanthropy, and longstanding dedication to humanity, solidarity, and assistance to those most in need.”
Both Grand Golden Plaques bear the date of this historic visit – Belgrade, Serbia, 20 August 2026 – and the signature of the Director of the Institute, Prof. Dr. Darko Trifunović. The awards therefore represent not only recognition and respect, but also a lasting testimony to an important day in the history of INIS.
As a sign of respect and a lasting memento of their visit to INIS, Their Royal Highnesses were also presented with two books on important periods in Serbia’s national and security history. The first, “National Security of Serbia at the End of the 19th and the Beginning of the 20th Century,” was authored by Darko Trifunović and Blažo Đurović, while the second was Darko Trifunović’s “National Security – Ten-Year Report: The Fight Against the Enemy, 1944–1954.” These works examine different historical periods and contribute to the study and understanding of the development of the Serbian state, its institutions and its national security system.
We would also like to express our special gratitude to our partners, whose gifts contributed to the ceremonial and cultural significance of this occasion. The publishing house Knjiga Komerc presented our distinguished guests with the valuable book “History of Serbian Art in the 18th and 19th Centuries,” by Slobodan Maldini, dedicated to Serbia’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
We also thank the artistic company Nina, which creates original works of art by shaping chocolate. For this occasion, a number of chocolate artworks inspired by Serbia and the Royal Family were created, most notably a chocolate rendition of the Coat of Arms of Serbia, along with other carefully designed pieces featuring symbols of the Royal Family.
The visit of Their Royal Highnesses represents much more than a ceremonial event for INIS. Within a historic complex more than a century old, the past and the future, tradition and contemporary science, national heritage and international cooperation came together. This is where we see the deeper symbolism of this meeting – to preserve what we have inherited, to advance the knowledge we possess, and to build lasting connections with people and institutions around the world.
It was a great privilege to present to Their Royal Highnesses what INIS has been, what it is today, and what we aspire for it to become in the future.
Welcome to INIS, Your Royal Highnesses. This day will remain permanently recorded in the history of the Institute for National and International Security.
Share
Today was a special and historic day for the Institute for National and International Security – INIS. We had the exceptional honor and pleasure of welcoming Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević and Crown Princess Katherine Karađorđević to the Institute’s headquarters.
The visit carried particular symbolism because INIS is headquartered within a historic complex built in 1922 as the Royal Artillery complex. Their Royal Highnesses showed great interest in the history of the entire complex, its original purpose and its present-day function, and particularly in the building that now houses the Institute. The Royal Couple were visibly impressed by the excellent state of preservation of this historic building and by the care devoted to maintaining its original character and heritage.
During the meeting, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine expressed strong interest in INIS’s work and international development. They were particularly interested in the Institute’s numerous members, the countries they come from, and how INIS has built an international network bringing together scholars, researchers, university professors, security professionals, and other distinguished individuals from different parts of the world.
Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to the history of INIS, whose roots date back to 1975, as well as to the pivotal developments of 2018, when the Institute began operating independently and developing its present international, institutional and scientific profile. We presented the Institute’s numerous activities, professional training and educational programs, scientific research and international cooperation, as well as the conferences and professional events that INIS organizes in Serbia and co-organizes with partner institutions worldwide.
We also devoted special attention to the Security Science Journal, an important part of INIS’s academic activities and a platform connecting authors and researchers from different countries and disciplines. We also discussed the importance of developing Security Science as a contemporary scientific approach, strengthening the links between academia and practitioners, and the role of international cooperation in understanding emerging security challenges.
During their tour of the INIS headquarters, Their Royal Highnesses also visited two separate exhibitions dedicated to two outstanding figures of Serbian and world science – Mihajlo Pupin and Milutin Milanković. Their lives and achievements represent remarkable examples of how Serbia can connect with the world through knowledge, science and creativity, values that are also deeply reflected in the international mission of our Institute.
A particularly solemn moment of the visit was the presentation of the Grand Golden Plaques of the Institute for National and International Security – INIS, awarded individually to Their Royal Highnesses in recognition of their longstanding contributions to Serbia, humanitarian values, peace and international understanding.
The Grand Golden Plaque was presented to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević “in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the preservation of Serbia’s historical and statehood heritage, and to the advancement of peace, international understanding, and cooperation among peoples and nations.”
The Grand Golden Plaque was presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine Karađorđević “in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian work, philanthropy, and longstanding dedication to humanity, solidarity, and assistance to those most in need.”
Both Grand Golden Plaques bear the date of this historic visit – Belgrade, Serbia, 20 August 2026 – and the signature of the Director of the Institute, Prof. Dr. Darko Trifunović. The awards therefore represent not only recognition and respect, but also a lasting testimony to an important day in the history of INIS.
As a sign of respect and a lasting memento of their visit to INIS, Their Royal Highnesses were also presented with two books on important periods in Serbia’s national and security history. The first, “National Security of Serbia at the End of the 19th and the Beginning of the 20th Century,” was authored by Darko Trifunović and Blažo Đurović, while the second was Darko Trifunović’s “National Security – Ten-Year Report: The Fight Against the Enemy, 1944–1954.” These works examine different historical periods and contribute to the study and understanding of the development of the Serbian state, its institutions and its national security system.
We would also like to express our special gratitude to our partners, whose gifts contributed to the ceremonial and cultural significance of this occasion. The publishing house Knjiga Komerc presented our distinguished guests with the valuable book “History of Serbian Art in the 18th and 19th Centuries,” by Slobodan Maldini, dedicated to Serbia’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
We also thank the artistic company Nina, which creates original works of art by shaping chocolate. For this occasion, a number of chocolate artworks inspired by Serbia and the Royal Family were created, most notably a chocolate rendition of the Coat of Arms of Serbia, along with other carefully designed pieces featuring symbols of the Royal Family.
The visit of Their Royal Highnesses represents much more than a ceremonial event for INIS. Within a historic complex more than a century old, the past and the future, tradition and contemporary science, national heritage and international cooperation came together. This is where we see the deeper symbolism of this meeting – to preserve what we have inherited, to advance the knowledge we possess, and to build lasting connections with people and institutions around the world.
It was a great privilege to present to Their Royal Highnesses what INIS has been, what it is today, and what we aspire for it to become in the future.
Welcome to INIS, Your Royal Highnesses. This day will remain permanently recorded in the history of the Institute for National and International Security.
