During his June 2007’ official visit to the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nicolas Petrovitch Njegosh had encountered and established friendly contacts with several member groups of the Regional Committees of the Italian Red Cross, particularly in Palermo and Messina, being on the occasion of his stay in Palermo decorated with the Italian Red Cross Gold Medal.

In the continuation of establishing close relation with the Italian Red Cross, today, this Thursday April 3rd, 2008 in the afternoon, H.R.H. the Crown Prince paid a private visit at the Headquarters of the Italian Red Cross, via Toscana 12, Rome, Italy, where he was received by Dr. Massimo Barra, National President of the organisation and Vice-President of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Standing Commission, also advisor to the Italian Government on drugs.

After a cordial meeting with the Crown Prince, Dr. Barra bestowed His Royal Highness with the Grand Cross of Merit of the Italian Red Cross.

Subsequently, Crown Prince Nicolas honoured the historic Banner of the Italian Red Cross with the insignia of Grand Cross in the Order of Danilo I, as well as its National President in the same rank.

At the conclusion of his visit, before taking part to a cordial reception offered by Dr. Barra, His Royal Highness paid a solemn homage and laid a spray of flowers in front of the memorial stele of Queen Elena of Montenegro (º1873, †1952), consort of Vittorio Emanuele III (º1869, †1947), in the entry hall of the Italian Red Cross headquarters, commemorating the fact that his great aunt the Queen of Italy funded the Voluntary Nurse Corps of the Italian Red Cross.

During his private visit to the Italian Red Cross, Crown Prince Nicolas was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Antun Sbutega, Ambassador of Montenegro to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.