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Rajasthan, India Monday (AFP) Heir to the British throne Prince Charles spent in the west Indian desert state of Rajasthan, visiting ancient forts escorted by the region's former monarchy.

In Jodhpur, the heart of the desert state, Charles was greeted by Yuvraj (prince) Shivraj Singh as he arrived the historic Jodhpur Fort. Five camels bedecked with traditional decorations stood at the entrance as the royal entourage entered to the sounds of ancient folk music.

Rajasthan, like many Indian states, was ruled by kings for decades before the practice was abandoned in 1969. Most of the lineage still carry their titles but enjoy no real power.

Later, Prince Charles was taken around the fort in an open jeep followed by Maharani (queen) Hemlata Raje and Rajkumar (prince) Shivranjani, who performed a traditional welcome with a flaming lamp and flowers.

Charles also visited the palace museum and signed the visitors' book.

The prince is due to travel under tight security on Monday to the western commercial hub of Bombay, where twin car bomb blasts killed 52 people on August 25.

Charles is on his first visit to India since a disastrous six-day trip in February 1992 with his then wife, the late Diana, Princess of Wales. They divorced 10 months later.

His trip comes after publication of a tell-all book by Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, which has put the late princess back on the front pages of newspapers in Britain.

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