Royal wedding guest list is an embarrassment to the country

The representatives of oppressive regimes on the guest list to the royal wedding is an embarrassment to this country writes Dominic Browne.

Royal wedding invitation

The Syrian ambassador’s invitation to the royal wedding has been withdrawn, following brutal crack-downs of anti-government protests in the country. The Foreign Office said his presence would be “unacceptable” and that Buckingham Palace “shared that view”.

The country’s ambassador, Dr Sami Khiyami, was summoned to the Foreign Office on Tuesday after Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters. BBC News 24 have reported 500 people have been killed so far.

This is the latest in a line of highly worrying invitations to the wedding. Britain has already withdrawn invites for Libya and Malawi, and the crown prince of Bahrain withdrew his previous acceptance following similar crack-downs on pro-democracy protests there. 

The BBC have quoted the Foreign Office as saying:

“An invitation does not mean endorsement or approval of the behaviour of any government, simply that we have normal diplomatic relations with that country.”

“In the light of this week’s attacks against civilians by the Syrian security forces, which we have condemned, the foreign secretary has decided that the presence of the Syrian ambassador at the royal wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.”

As Left Foot Forward have previously reported there are still people on the list that the Foreign Office should not wish to enjoy “normal relations” with, such as the king of Swaziland. King Mswati III is the last absolute monarch in Africa, in a country where:

“Political parties are banned, trade unions are massively restricted and the country scores lower than Zimbabwe for its political rights.”

The anti-monarchy campaign group Republic heavily criticised the inclusion of royals from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia (whose troops were called in to help Bahrain suppress pro-democracy protests), Oman, Brunei, Qatar, Swaziland, Lesotho, Bhutan and Kuwait.

Republic chief Graham Smith said: “This guest list reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of tyrants and their cronies”.

With royal family occasions there is always a code of protocol and diplomacy to follow but surely human rights trumps that? At a time when dictators all over the world are under massive scrutiny in the wake of the Arab Spring, why would we want to give such people a PR boost by treating them to our hospitality and sitting them next to our political and cultural leaders in front of the world’s cameras?

Patricia Yates from Visit Britain told the BBC:

“This is a show case for Britain,.. this is Britain’s moment.”

What aspect of Britain should take precedence in this “showcase” – our commitment to human rights, or our tragic history of supporting dictators in the name of diplomacy and realpolitik?

37 Responses to “Royal wedding guest list is an embarrassment to the country”

  1. Dave Citizen

    Little by little the “royal” fantasy world that has been pulled down over our eyes is letting the light through.

  2. Mr. Sensible

    keith, the only head of state that has any real political power is the Prime Minister. The monarchy is constitutional.

    And frankly I would rather have that than a presidencial system like the USA, where at the moment the government over there seems to be on daily survival mode.

    On this, I think there’s a difficult balance to be struck in deplomacy; we must condemn human rights abuses, but I don’t think it is in the interest of British nationals who may be living in these countries to completely sever ties.

  3. caroline napier

    Why dont all the Monachy bashers shut up. The Monachy is an institution that has been part of our heritage for centuries, and the continuity is something that people value.
    What other 85 year old woman puts in a full days work? Our Queen does and I think will do so whilst she is physically capable.
    She has served her people for decades and never a word of scandal, not a blemish on her good name.

    What many in this country seem to forget about the royal wedding is apart from being a state occassion, it is the wedding day of two young people. I say let them enjoy it, and anyone that doesn’t like it…emigrate.

  4. chris star

    Come on people,The Royal wedding guest list is an embarrassment to the country
    http://j.mp/lu4UZn
    #royalwedding #Syria #Libya

  5. Vegan Panda

    RT @unitonehifi: Come on people,The Royal wedding guest list is an embarrassment to the country
    http://j.mp/lu4UZn
    #royalwedding #Syria …

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