Friday, December 17, 2010

Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photograph: Google Images

Snub for Obamas as Royal Sources Reveal They Will Not Be Invited to Prince William's Wedding

MAIL ONLINE: American President left off the guest list as it is not a 'state occasion' / Royal couple eager to ask ordinary citizens to attend rather than VIPs / Heads of State who may attend include Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni

President Obama and his wife Michelle will not be invited to Prince William's wedding next year.

Because Prince William is not yet heir to the throne, his wedding to Kate Middleton is not classed as a ‘state occasion’ – and the couple feel under no pressure to fill the 2,000-strong guest list with heads of state, the Mail understands.

They are more eager to ask ordinary citizens and charity workers than foreign dignitaries and VIPs to what will be the first royal ‘people’s wedding’, courtiers suggested.

A handful of heads of state are likely to be invited in line with previous royal weddings, possibly including France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.

But the decision to exclude the American premier and his wife Michelle from the celebrations marks a break from tradition. Read on and comment >>> Fay Schlesinger | Friday, December 17, 2010