2,000 invited to royal wedding

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 celebrities, leading politicians, heads of state and royalty from across the world.

About 1,900 people will watch William and Kate exchange their marriage vows on April 29, with more than half the guests drawn from the couple’s family and friends, St James’s Palace have announced.

The number of guests will be reduced for the lunchtime reception, where about 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 300 of the couple’s loved ones gathering at the palace.

More than 200 members of the Government, parliament and diplomatic corps will be amongst the guests along with 60 Governors- General and prime ministers from the Queen’s Commonwealth realms, and more than 40 foreign royals.

William’s charities will be represented by 80 people and 30 members of the defence services have been invited.

The white cards are gilded with gold and the royal cypher — EIIR, the initials of the Queen, below a crown — is die-stamped on the invitation using the precious metal.

Below the cypher, are the words — “The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by the Queen to invite...to the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales KG with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday, 29th April, 2011 at 11.00am.”