(12 Mar 2001) English/Nat
Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia broke down in tears on Monday at a ceremony restoring citizenship to his family.
The heir to the Yugoslav throne has spent his entire life in exile, having been born in a hotel suite in London 56 years ago.
The British government declared the suite - room 212, at Claridge's Hotel - Yugoslav territory for the day so the Prince could be said to have been born in his homeland.
But the new government in Belgrade, reversing the stance of Slobodan Milosevic, has said it wants the royal family to return - albeit as private citizens for the time being.
Today the family gathered in the same hotel suite where Alexander was born - to see the new government's interior minister present them with their certificates of citizenship.
Accompanying the Prince was his wife, Princess Katarina, and his two twin sons, Alexander and Filip.
A third son, Peter, is studying in the United States.
SOUNDBITE (Serbian)
"These are the certificates of citizenship for HRH Prince Alexander."
SUPER CAPTION: Zoran Zivkovic, Yugoslav interior minister
SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"Today - in the presence of their excellencies the Ambassador of Yugoslavia and the Federal Interior Minister - ends the exile of the House of Karadjordjevic."
SUPER CAPTION: Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Today - in the presence of their excellencies the Ambassador of Yugoslavia and the Federal Interior Minister - ends the exile of the House of Karadjordjevic. I am convinced that never again... (supresses sob) ... it's very emotional... (composes himself)... anyhow, I'm going home!"
SUPER CAPTION: Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia

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