It is important to understand the basis of the connection with King Peter II of Yugoslavia, especially in the context of recent developments in the former Yugoslavia. Whereas King Peter was of Serbian decent, the House of Karageorgevitch did unify the various people who made up what was Yugoslavia in a relatively peaceful nation. During WWII, King Peter was forced from his home and lived the remaining years of his life in exile. It was when he was in exile that he exercised his fons honorum to issue a charter to the Order of St John.

Fons honorum, or the font of honour, is the power to create an order of chivalry. A King, King in exile or President is conferred with fons honorum. Since the Crusades, The Order of St John has had various "protectors" such as The Pope and Tsar Paul I of Russia. Interestingly, the Tsar, a Romanoff, is an ancestor of King Peter II. Furthermore, the current grand master, Prince Karl Vladimir Karageorgevitch is a descendent of both Tsar Paul and Queen Victoria.

It is this tradition that The Order of St John maintains. Connection with Yugoslavia has nothing to do with the current difficulties facing the Balkans. Although The Order of St John is not directly connected with this pursuit, Prince Karl Vladimir has organised non-sectarian aid to the people of the Balkans.

Some noteable past members of this Order of Knights Hospitallers: