Final journey of a Yugoslav Queen 50 years later

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Queen Maria of Yugoslavia has been exhumed and will be sent to her home after 70 years of exile

She was exiled from her country during World War II by the Nazis, but now the body of Queen Maria of Yugoslavia is finally allowed to return home.
The monarch, who is second cousin once removed of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, will return to Serbia after being exhumed from the Royal burial ground at Frogmore, Windsor.
Queen Maria’s husband King Alexander I was assassinated a Bulgarian terrorist in 1934 as he drove through Marseilles, France.
The couple’s 11-year-old son, King Peter II, inherited the throne, but the family was forced to leave in 1941 after Yugoslavia was invaded.
She lived in Britain until her death in 1961, but the Communist leader who ruled the country from 1945, Marshal Josip Tito, refused to allow her body to be returned.

The Sunday Telegraphreported that with permission from Queen Elizabeth II, the Serbian royal family has arranged for Queen Maria’s remains to return to her home country.
A spokesman said: ‘This is very emotional for us. This is a huge moment for modern Serbia.’
Her body was exhumed on Friday and relocated to a Serbian orthodox church in London the next day.
A Holy Liturgy and Memorial Service for Queen Maria was officiated at the Serbian Orthodox Church of St Sava in London today in front of living members of the Serbian royal family.
Her grandson, the Crown Prince Alexander, will fly to Belgrade with her body following the memorial service today.

The monarch's wedding to her husband King Alexander I of Yugosliavia, who was assassinated in 1934

Queen Maria was known as a very modern woman, driving cars and becoming a noted philanthropist

 Her last resting place will be the royal mausoleum in Topola, 80 miles from the capital.

 

The Serbian royal family spokesman added: ‘She was the first woman to drive a car in that part of Europe. She spoke five languages, she was very stylish, she was a great painter and a philanthropist.
‘She was loved by so many.’

A Holy Liturgy and Memorial Service for Queen Maria was officiated at the Seribian Orthodox Church of St Sava in London today

The ceremony was conducted in the presence of the Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Peter, Prince Philip,, as well as Princess Katarina, Prince Vladimir, Prince Dimitri and Princess Lavinia

The Serbian royal family have been working to have their relatives returned to the country for seven years

Queen Maria's remains have been transferred from the Royal Burial Ground in Frogmore, Windsor Castle to the church and will then be transferred to Belgrade

Queen Maria was born into the Romanian royal family, and was a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She spent the remainder of her life in a cottage in England.
The modern Serbian royal family have been allowed back into the country and have been working for seven years to repatriate the bodies of past relatives.
Her son was repatriated from the US in January, and his wife, Queen Alexandra, will be returned from Athens in May.
Serbia will hold a state funeral on May 26.

Queen Maria was the second cousin once removed of both Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh

Queen Maria has been buried at the Royal Burial Ground adjacent to the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, Windsor