Global General

Official royal wedding list released in UK

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-04-23 18:21

LONDON - The full list of confirmed guests attending the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was released by Britain's monarchy Saturday.

Soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria were among the most recognizable names on the list of guests at the April 29 nuptials.

Many on the list had been already confirmed in the media weeks ago, including the Beckhams, musician Elton John and director Guy Ritchie. But others, like singer Joss Stone and Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson _ a close friend of William's father Prince Charles _ were new.

Royal family members from countries including Bahrain, Denmark, Spain and Morocco will also attend. Other guests include government officials, Afghan war veterans, and charity workers.

Palace officials said that only crowned heads of states are traditionally invited to royal weddings, and that political leaders who are not from the 54-member Commonwealth of nations, such as President Barack Obama or French President Nicolas Sarkozy, weren't sent invitations.

The seating plan for the April 29 ceremony at Westminster Abbey revealed the select few who will witness the ceremony up close. About 1,000 people will sit in the section of the abbey where views of the altar are restricted.

Queen Elizabeth II and other royal family members will sit in the front row across the aisle from the Middleton family. They will be closest to the abbey's sanctuary, where William and his bride will stand.

The Middletons will sit with the couple's friends and Princess Diana's Spencer family.