London: In a break from tradition, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are unlikely to be on the guest list when Prince William marries Kate Middleton next year.
Royal sources revealed on Thursday that the President and his wife are not among the congregation, as the royal wedding is not classed as a ‘state occasion’ - because the Prince is not yet heir to the throne.
Courtiers suggested they are more eager to ask ordinary citizens and charity workers than foreign dignitaries and VIPs at the ‘people's wedding’, reports the Daily Mail.
Reports are also abuzz that the couple are said to feel no pressure to fill the 2,000 seats at Westminster Abbey.
Despite the Obamas not being invited, a number of heads of state are likely attend the ceremony on April 29 in line with previous royal weddings, possibly including France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.
But the decision to exclude the US President from the celebrations is a break from tradition.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana invited then US President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy to their 1981 ceremony. They were also invited for the wedding of Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
“It is certainly not the case that all foreign heads of state will be excluded. The guest list is still being drawn up and could change, but as things stand it's right (to say Mr Obama will not be invited),” said a senior courtier.
ANI
First Published: Friday, December 17, 2010, 11:45