Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa was the first to reject the invitation, while US First lady Michelle Obama's desire for an invitation to Prince William's wedding fell on deaf ears inside the Royal Family.
The rejection of the UK Royal Family's invitation to such a ceremony by such a dictator would be very embarrassing for the entire British government since the king's invitation to the wedding has provoked much negative comment.
Mandrake can disclose that the King of Bahrain has informed the Prince and his fiancée, Kate Middleton, that he will not attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
“He has declined his invitation,” confirms my man at St James's Palace.
Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa called in foreign troops, from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE this week to help quell protests from anti-government campaigners in the tiny island state, which his family considers as their ancestors' property.
Navi Pillay, the United Nations human rights chief, condemned the “shocking” use of force by security forces against Bahraini protesters.
Anti-monarchy pressure group Republic had responded angrily to reports that the Queen personally invited the King of Bahrain to the forthcoming royal wedding.
"It beggars belief that the Queen saw fit to invite the King of Bahrain just days after his troops opened fire on pro-democracy protesters. This sends a very strong signal that the British royal family's number one priority is other royals, even if they are dictators, despots and thugs," said Republic campaign manager Graham Smith.
Other Middle Eastern monarchs still due to attend the wedding include the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, the Sultan of Oman and the Sultan of Brunei.
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