The guest list for the royal wedding sparked controversy on Sunday after monarchs from countries with poor rights records were invited but two former 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.
Newspapers pointed out that Labour ex-premiers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were snubbed on the list, which was released on 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 and Brown were not invited because unlike Major and Thatcher they are not Knights of the Garter, Britain’s highest honour.
Full story: AFP: Royal wedding guest list causes controversy