Wills-Kate invite 1,900 guests to their royal wedding
By ANISunday, February 20, 2011
LONDON - Around 1,900 guests will witness Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange wedding vows on April 29.
More than half are family and friends of the royal couple, according to St James Palace.
Their names have not been released but the Westminster Abbey service is expected to feature leading UK politicians, foreign dignitaries, charity workers and possibly celebrities, reports the BBC.
The guests will attend the church service, but not all will go on to Buckingham Palace.
About 600 relatives, friends and dignitaries are invited to the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace to toast the couple.
And just 300 will stay on at the palace for a more intimate evening dinner, which will be followed by dancing.
In the past few days, those on the guest list have been opening their invitations - a white card gilded with gold in a pale brown envelope.
The Queen’s initials are die-stamped in gold on the card below a crown.
“The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by the Queen to invite [name] to the marriage of his Royal Highness Prince William of Wales KG with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29 April 2011 at 11.00am,” It reads.
Guests are asked to reply to the Lord Chamberlain’s office, which is handling the ceremonial and formal parts of the preparations.
The dress requirements are given as ‘uniform, morning coat or lounge suit’.
The choice of guests who will get to watch the couple exchange vows at the abbey, reflects William’s position as second-in-line to the throne.
They will include more than 200 members of the government, parliament and diplomatic corps, as well as 60 Governors-General and Prime Ministers from Commonwealth countries.
The Prince also has a number of charitable interests, including the homeless organisation Centrepoint, wildlife conservation group, Tusk Trust and the Royal Marsden Hospital. Some 80 representatives will be drawn from charities.
The guest list also includes 30 members of the armed forces as well as representatives from the Church and other faiths. (ANI)
