World | Bahrain Bahrain Prince Declines Royal Wedding Invite Under duress; and it's no place for old Labour PMs, either By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Apr 24, 2011 12:45 PM CDT Copied In this Monday, June 11, 2007 file photo the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, right, speaks during the 96th International Labor Organization. (SANDRO CAMPARDO) See 2 more photos The news that Bahrain's crown prince was ducking out of his troubled country to attend Prince William's much ballyhooed nuptials raised some eyebrows, and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today reversed course, sending Prince Charles his regrets. Saying he was "saddened and troubled" by British media stories, the AP reports that Prince Salman nevertheless sent William and Kate Middleton "all good wishes for Friday and every possible happiness for the future ahead." Prince Salman isn't the only dignitary sitting it out, notes the Telegraph: Former British PMs Tony Blair and Gordon Brown won't be attending, either. The Labour Party pols were apparently snubbed by the palace, which invited Conservative Party PMs Margaret Thatcher and John Major, though Thatcher declined for health reasons. Labour MPs called the snub "surprising" and "odd," though the Telegraph notes a frosty history between Buckingham Palace and Blair in particular. Read These Next "Admiral Piett" of the Star Wars universe died from COVID. Trump voter who supported mass deportations could be deported herself. Shooter opens fire on Texas Border Patrol What makes a person cool? These six traits. See 2 more photos Report an error