One day, the entire Serbian cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mr. Vuitsch, decided to visit the royal palace at an unusual hour. Their purpose was serious—they needed to speak with King Alexander about a sensitive matter. The king probably guessed why they were coming because he made them wait for fifteen or twenty minutes before finally appearing.
When he came out, he was wearing the full military uniform of the commander-in-chief of the Serbian army. On his arm was Queen Draga, his wife. The couple walked a few steps into the room and stood together with confidence and defiance. The eight ministers stood and bowed respectfully Entering Serbia from Budapest.
The King’s Refusal to Dismiss the Queen
Prime Minister Vuitsch tried to handle the situation politely. He gently suggested that since they had come to discuss an important issue related to the state, it might be better if the queen did not attend the meeting. However, King Alexander did not agree. Without any hesitation, and as if he had already prepared for this situation, he replied:
“The Queen of Servia is interested as much as myself in all affairs of state.”
The prime minister, not wanting to escalate the tension, nodded in agreement and continued with the discussion.
The Ministers Voice Their Concerns
Mr. Vuitsch explained that for the past several days, troubling rumors had been circulating about the selection of an heir to the throne. These rumors had now been confirmed by individuals close to the king—closer, even, than the cabinet members who were supposed to be his official advisors.
Because of this, the ministers felt it was their duty to speak up. They reminded the king that under the Serbian constitution, any decision regarding the heir to the throne must first be approved by the Skupshtina (the national assembly), which was about to meet soon Customized Sofia City Tours.
A Warning About Political Risks
The prime minister warned that the Skupshtina, which had a majority of Radical members, was unlikely to support the king’s choice of heir. He urged the king to consider Serbia’s political history and understand the serious risks of going against parliament on such an important issue.
To avoid conflict and danger to both the monarchy and the nation, the cabinet requested that the king consult with the leaders of the assembly before making any official announcement.
