Almost 2,000 on guest list for royal wedding

Published on Saturday 19 February 2011 12:36

ALMOST 2,000 guests have been invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Their names have not been released but the Westminster Abbey congregation is expected to feature leading politicians, heads of state and royalty from across the world.

Around 1,900 people will watch the couple exchange their wedding vows on 29 April, with more than half the guests drawn from the couple's family and friends, St James's Palace have announced.

But many royal-watchers will be waiting to see if leading world figures like US President Barack Obama and singer Elton John are among those taking their seats in the abbey.

The number of guests will be reduced for the lunchtime reception, where around 600 relatives, friends and dignitaries will toast the couple at Buckingham Palace.

The evening dinner followed by dancing will be a more intimate affair, with just 300 of the couple's loved ones gathering at the palace.

The event may be the marriage of two people, but those invited reflect the prince's position as second-in-line to the throne, with UK and foreign dignitaries also on the list.

More than 200 members of the government, parliament and diplomatic corps will be among the guests, along with 60 governors-general and prime ministers from the Queen's Commonwealth realms, and more than 40 foreign royals.