UP TO one million people are expected to line the route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace in London today for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton – the biggest royal occasion since 1981.
Tens of thousands streamed around the abbey and the palace yesterday, with many preparing to camp out overnight to secure prime positions to watch the celebrations, which begins at 10am.
Meanwhile, the British foreign office rescinded an invitation to the Syrian ambassador to London, Sami Khiyami, saying his presence was “unacceptable” given this week’s attacks by the Syrian government on demonstrators.
In reply, Mr Khiyami said he was embarrassed by the British decision, which only came about following criticism in the London press. He said: “I would like to wish his highness and his bride the best of luck and happiness.”
The withdrawal of the invitation after Labour raised fears that London “could have the horrific spectre of killing on the streets of Syria while the Syrian ambassador is in Westminster Abbey for the royal wedding”.
Just 24 hours before, the foreign office had defended the invitation, saying that it did “not mean endorsement or approval of the behaviour of any government, simply that we have normal diplomatic relations with that country”.
The row-back has not been the only controversy over the invitation list – another has been the decision of Buckingham Palace not to invite former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Former Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw said he was surprised that Mr Blair and Mr Brown had not been invited, while the former Tory PM John Major had been. “I’m sure they agree privately it was a mistake.”
Final preparations were still under way late last night for the ceremony, which will be guarded by thousands of police officers and should be the biggest royal occasion for the next 30 years.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, promised: “We will create a day that will be exquisitely beautiful. We hope it will be a day that everybody in the country can be truly proud of.”
The bride will step from a 1977 Rolls-Royce Silver Phantom shortly before 11am at the abbey, where the bells will have been ringing for 30 minutes, though they will continue for three hours more after the service, as 5,000 changes are rung.
Scores of people arrested over demonstrations in London in recent months and released on bail have been banned from central London under draconian powers being used by the Metropolitan police to ensure the day is not marred by demonstrations.
Meanwhile, officers arrested 20 people during early morning raids on a number of squats in Camberwell, Hackney and near Heathrow after police said they feared that some of them would get involved in disruptions.
The Muslims Against Crusades group, which was refused permission to hold a protest outside the abbey, is still insisting that it will hold a demonstration outside the one-mile security zone imposed around Westminster.
