BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The heir to Serbia's defunct throne, Crown Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic, says the upcoming visit by Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla is important because it gives recognition to the troubled Balkan country in Europe and beyond.

Karadjordjevic told the Associated Press Wednesday "the visit by the future king of the United Kingdom is an important matter." He explains "it means recognition ... it is a very good gesture for international relations, and it goes noticed in many other countries, in the European Union, United States, Canada."

Karadjordjevic is the godchild of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. He says hosting the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Belgrade's Royal Palace next week holds personal significance too.

The royal couple will also travel to Croatia, Montenegro and Kosovo.