BBC News Online: World: Europe

Crown Prince arrives in Serbia

Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia has returned to Belgrade only days after the popular uprising which swept Slobodan Milosevic from power.

The Prince has been an ardent supporter of the democratic opposition of Serbia from exile. But there seems little likelihood now of a restoration of the monarchy.

Prince Alexander was met at Belgrade airport by a crowd of well-wishers, including religious and political leaders.

His first meeting was with President Vojislav Kostunica, who only took the oath of office eight days ago.

Prince Alexander was born in London on 1945. His family fled Serbia in 1941 when Nazi Germany invaded. His father, Peter the second, was the last king.

Monarchy plans shelved

The prince received a hero's welcome on his first visit in 1991 and since then has supported the opposition from abroad.

In the last year he has travelled widely in the region and was actively involved in efforts to reunite the opposition around a single candidate, Mr Kostunica, in last month's presidential elections.

Like King Michael of neighbouring Romania, Prince Alexander describes himself as a constitutional monarchist and would be delighted to accept his throne back if asked to do so.

But he said on arrival in Belgrade that restoring the monarchy is not a priority.

Monarchist parties have little support in Serbia but most of the opposition is sympathetic to the prince.

He and his wife will spend the coming days touring the country, starting with the Sumadija region south of Belgrade, a traditional stronghold of the royal family.