Who's been invited to the wedding?

Lance Corporal Martyn Compton has been invited to the royal wedding
12 April 2012

Afghan war veterans, leading figures from the world of sport and entertainment and charity bosses are some of the guests who have been invited to the royal wedding.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have picked a wide cross- section of their close friends and associates to be with them at Westminster Abbey when they exchange their vows on Friday.

St James's Palace has released some of the names of the 1,900 guests invited to the nuptials which are expected to be watched by a worldwide television audience of billions.

On the guest list is Lance Corporal Martyn Compton, of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who was so badly burned in an attack in Afghanistan in 2006 that he "died" three times, as well as losing his ears and nose. He is a friend and colleague of William, having served alongside him in D Squadron of the Household Cavalry at Windsor, when the Prince was with the regiment.

Bryn and Emma Parry, founders of the forces' charity Help For Heroes, which is supported by William and has raised tens of millions for the treatment of wounded servicemen, will also be among the guests.

And he has honoured the memory of two close friends and colleagues from Sandhurst by inviting members of their families.

Holly Dyer, the sister of 2nd Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, who was killed by a bomb in Iraq in 2007, and Susie Roberts, the widow of William's Sandhurst platoon commander Major Alexis Roberts, killed four years ago in Afghanistan, will both be in the congregation.

The list of celebrity guests is headed by David and Victoria Beckham and also features Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish as well as Guy Ritchie, film-maker and former partner of singer Madonna.

Mario Testino, the official engagement photographer, will be there along with singer Joss Stone, who performed at the Concert For Diana - a tribute event to the Princess of Wales - and ITV News' political editor Tom Bradby. Friends of the Prince of Wales invited include comic actor Rowan Atkinson and socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.

The sporting world is represented by Olympic swimming star Ian Thorpe, who recently announced he was coming out of retirement to swim in the 2012 London Olympics. The Australian sportsman met William when he visited the swimmer's home country last year and the Prince has since supported his charitable organisation - Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth.

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