Royal invitations
February 20, 2011
The gold-embossed invitations in the name of Queen Elizabeth II have begun dropping on doormats after being sent out earlier this week in pale-brown envelopes.
While the names of the guests have not been released, speculation is rife about who will be attending the ceremony to be held in Westminster Abbey on April 29.
David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly among a handful of celebrity guests who made the final cut. William worked with the footballer on England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.
The Sunday Times reported on Sunday that while British Prime Minister David Cameron will attend, President Barack Obama and other prominent world leaders will miss out, namely because William is currently second in line to the British throne, after his father Prince Charles, and not the heir.
However, foreign royal families from Spain, Holland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, among others, are likely to be represented, along with heads of state from Commonwealth countries.
A further 80 guests will be drawn from Prince William's charitable work, which includes the homelessness charity Centrepoint, the Tusk Trust conservation charity and the Royal Marsden Hospital, of which William's late mother Diana was also a patron.
Family affair
Relatives of the late Diana have also reportedly been invited, with the guest list set to include her sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and her brother, Earl Charles Spencer.
The majority of guests - over 1,000 - will be drawn from William and Kate's family and friends, including friends they made at St. Andrews University, where the couple met.
The queen and her husband Prince Philip will head the royal family group at the front of the Abbey, along with Prince Charles and William's best man and brother Prince Harry.
Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, will also have front-row seats, along with sister Pippa, her maid of honor, and her brother James.
Only a select 600 people have been invited to a lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace following the service, and an even smaller group of 300 will attend a dinner and dance hosted by Prince Charles in the evening.
Dress code
The invitation sets out the dress requirements as "uniform, morning coat or lounge suit."
Below the royal emblem are the words: "The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by the Queen to invite (name of guest) to the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales K.G. with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday, 29th April, 2011 at 11.00am."
Guests are to reply to the office of the Lord Chamberlain, one of the top officials in the royal household, who is overseeing many of the wedding preparations.
Author: Joanna Impey (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Kyle James