A Belgrade court overturned a Finance Ministry decision to refuse to return the former royal palace to the Karageorgevic family, the Vecernje Novosti newspaper said adding that the court will rule on financial compensation for the so-called White Palace which was taken from the royal family after World War 2.

A Restitution Agency official said the ruling means the residence, which was used by both the Karageorgevic royal family and the late Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, would remain the property of the state. “The Karageorgevic family will get compensation once decisions are taken on this and other properties which they have a legal right to,” official Ivana Zivkovic said.

Under the law on restitution of property nationalized after World War 2, former owner are entitled to compensation only once for all their properties.

The Karageorgevic family has requested the return of two royal residences in Belgrade, five other houses and land, artworks, silverware and other things.

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