British royal wedding guest list causes controversy

The guest list for Britain's royal wedding sparked controversy Sunday after monarchs from countries with poor rights records were invited but two former British prime ministers were not.
Rights groups criticised Prince William and Kate Middleton for inviting foreign royals from Bahrain, Swaziland and other nations where authorities have violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in recent weeks.
British newspapers pointed out that Labour ex-premiers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were snubbed on the list, which was released Saturday, while former Conservative leaders Margaret Thatcher and John Major were invited.
"Labour MPs will not be alone in thinking it odd the two former occupants of Number 10 (Downing Street) have not been invited to the wedding," the Sunday Telegraph commented. Royal officials said Blair, who was in power from 1997-2007, and Brown, who was premier from 2007-2010, were not invited because unlike Major and Thatcher they are not Knights of the Garter, Britain's highest honour.
St James's Palace, William's office, said the wedding was "not a state occasion so there is no reason why they (Blair and Brown) would be invited," the Sunday Telegraph reported.
Major - who was Britain's prime minister from 1990-1997 and acted as a guardian to Princes William and Harry after the death of their mother Diana - will attend, but Thatcher, the so-called "Iron Lady" who was in power from 1979 to 1990, has declined on health grounds.
Less controversial attendees at Friday's wedding in Westminster Abbey include footballer David Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria, musician Elton John and "Mr Bean" actor Rowan Atkinson. But there was surprise when royal officials announced that Crown Prince Salman of Bahrain would also attend.
Earlier reports said the Gulf state's rulers would withdraw to avoid embarrassment after a bloody crackdown on protesters there left at least 24 people dead.
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic hit out at inclusion of royals from not only Bahrain but also Saudi Arabia, Oman, Brunei, Qatar, Swaziland, Lesotho, Bhutan and Kuwait. St James's Palace said it had sought advice from Britain's foreign ministry on guests from abroad.
"Invitations are extended from the queen following the long-held tradition of inviting other crowned heads of state, we have taken advice from the Foreign Office about their continued inclusion on the list," a spokesman said.