Stephen, Laureen Harper to attend royal wedding

Wed Mar. 09 2011 09:19:38 CTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen will be among the many royals, guests and dignitaries present when Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange their marital vows at Westminster Abbey next month.  The prime minister announced Wednesday that he and his wife had formally accepted an invitation to the royal wedding and confirmed their attendance in London for the April 29 event.  "Canada is one of sixteen realm countries in the Commonwealth and I am delighted that Laureen and I will be able to attend this very historic and happy moment," Harper said in a statement. "We are honoured to represent Canada in order to personally convey the best wishes of all Canadians to the happy couple exactly three months before they undertake a Royal Tour of Canada -- their first outside the United Kingdom as newlyweds. Both events will be the source of great celebration for Canadians from coast to coast to coast." Officials have invited 1,900 people to attend the wedding at Westminster Abbey. Fifty members of the British royal family will be present at the ceremony, while another 40 members of various European families are also expected to attend.  Media reports have identified British Prime Minister David Cameron, Victoria and David Beckham, rapper Kanye West and singer Elton John as being among the invited guests. Despite the big guest list, some world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama have not been invited to the wedding.