LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: An Irish Guardsmen comes under close inspection at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matthew Else;

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: A media stand is erected outside Westminster Abbey on April 20, 2011 in London, England. With only 9 days until the Royal Wedding stands and media facilities have been created along the Royal Route. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: The Band of the Coldstream Guards form up around the main gate of Buckingham Palace during the Changing of the Guard ceremony on April 20, 2011 in London, England. Soldiers guard Queen Elizabeth II and other royals at Buckingham Palace in a 24 hour rotation with a ceremonial hand over at 11.30 in the morning. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: A member of the Scots Guards has his duties read to him during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on April 20, 2011 in London, England. Soldiers guard Queen Elizabeth II and other royals at Buckingham Palace in a 24 hour rotation with a ceremonial hand over at 11.30 in the morning. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: A member of the Scots Guards exhales in an attempt to cool himself during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on April 20, 2011 in London, England. Soldiers guard Queen Elizabeth II and other royals at Buckingham Palace in a 24 hour rotation with a ceremonial hand over at 11.30 in the morning. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Members of the Scots Guards kick up dust during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on April 20, 2011 in London, England. Soldiers guard Queen Elizabeth II and other royals at Buckingham Palace in a 24 hour rotation with a ceremonial hand over at 11.30 in the morning. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Bunting is reflected in a bus window on Regent Street on April 19, 2011 in London, England. Preparations are underway across the city as the Royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton draws nearer. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Clarence House handout photo, issued April 19, 2011, of the front (right) and back covers of the official souvenir wedding programme for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The wedding is due to take place on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Royal Household - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

TEMPLATE OUT LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Garter Principal King of Arms and Senior Herald in England, Thomas Woodcock, holds the new Coat of Arms of Catherine Middleton's family at the College of Arms in London on April 18, 2011 in London England. Catherine Middleton will use this Coat of Arms until her April 29th royal wedding to Britain's Prince William, when it will be merged with his Coat of Arms. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool / Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas Woodcock;

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Herald Painter, Robert Parsons, sketches the new Coat of Arms for Catherine Middleton's family at the College of Arms in London on April 18, 2011 in London England. Catherine Middleton will use this Coat of Arms until her April 29th royal wedding to Britain's Prince William, when it will be merged with his Coat of Arms. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool / Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Robert Parsons;

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Herald Painter, Robert Parsons, sketches the new Coat of Arms for Catherine Middleton's family at the College of Arms in London on April 18, 2011 in London England. Catherine Middleton will use this Coat of Arms until her April 29th royal wedding to Britain's Prince William, when it will be merged with his Coat of Arms. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 08: Kate Middleton arrives at City Hall on March 8, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Royal Couple are visiting Northern Ireland as part of a tour of the country that a couple of weeks ago took them to St Andrews University in Scotland and Anglesey in North Wales to launch a lifeboat. This day-long trip to Ireland has been kept top secret due to security issues. They will marry on the 29th April at Westminster Abbey in a much anticipated ceremony. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kate Middleton

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Kate Middleton smiles as she meets members of the public during a visit to the University of St Andrews on February 25, 2011 in St Andrews, Scotland. The couple returned to the university where they first met to launch a fundraising campaign for a new GBP 13 million scholarship and students support. The couple will marry in a much anticipated ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29th. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kate Middleton

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Irish Guardsman Bortnill St'Ange is fitted with his ceremonial uniform by Master Tailor Lance Sergeant Matthew Else in the store room at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bortnill St'Ange;Matthew Else;

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Irish Guardsman Bortnill St'Ange tries on his ceremonial uniform in the store room at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bortnill St'Ange;

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Irish Guardsman Bortnill St'Ange is measured for his ceremonial uniform by Master Tailor Lance Sergeant Matthew Else in the store room at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bortnill St'Ange;

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Irish Guards ceremonial uniforms await collection form a store room at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Irish Guards ceremonial uniforms await collection in a stor room at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON - APRIL 21: A detail of the 'Instrument of Consent', which is the Queen's historic formal consent to Prince William's forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton, is displayed at the Crown Office at the House of Lords on April 21, 2011 in London, England. Under the Great Seal of the Realm, Queen Elizabeth signed an elaborate notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton". (Photo by Clive Gee/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON - APRIL 21: A detail of the 'Instrument of Consent', which is the Queen's historic formal consent to Prince William's forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton, is displayed at the Crown Office at the House of Lords on April 21, 2011 in London, England. Under the Great Seal of the Realm, Queen Elizabeth signed an elaborate notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton". (Photo by Clive Gee/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON - APRIL 21: The 'Instrument of Consent', which is the Queen's historic formal consent to Prince William's forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton, is displayed at the Crown Office at the House of Lords on April 21, 2011 in London, England. Under the Great Seal of the Realm, Queen Elizabeth signed an elaborate notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton". (Photo by Clive Gee/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON - APRIL 21: The 'Instrument of Consent', which is the Queen's historic formal consent to Prince William's forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton, is displayed at the Crown Office at the House of Lords on April 21, 2011 in London, England. Under the Great Seal of the Realm, Queen Elizabeth signed an elaborate notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton". (Photo by Clive Gee/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON - APRIL 21: The 'Instrument of Consent', which is the Queen's historic formal consent to Prince William's forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton, is displayed at the Crown Office at the House of Lords on April 21, 2011 in London, England. Under the Great Seal of the Realm, Queen Elizabeth signed an elaborate notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton". (Photo by Clive Gee/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: An Irish Guardsmen is helped from the parade ground after feeling faint during an inspection at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: An Irish Guardsmen comes under close inspection at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matthew Else;

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Master Tailor Lance Sergeant Matthew Else inspects the uniforms of members of the Irish Guards during an inspection at Victoria Barracks on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The Irish Guards returned from active duty in Afghanistan at the beginning of April, and are now preparing for ceremonial duties. Prince William is the Colonel of the Regiment and the Irish Guards will be on duty at the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matthew Else;

LONDON - JUNE 27: Kate Middleton attends the 46664 concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's life at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

UNDATED - UNITED KINGDOM: In this handout photograph provided by Woolworths, a souvenir mug is seen to mark the anticipated engagement of Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton. Beneath the portraits of Prince William and Kate Middleton is the message ?Celebrating the Royal marriage of William and Kate," with a space left for the date. The leading high street store has designed a range of memorabilia including traditional china plates, thimbles, mouse mats and Will and Kate shaped pick and mix sweets in anticipation of the event. (Photo by Woolworths via Getty Images)

UNDATED - UNITED KINGDOM: In this handout photograph provided by Woolworths, a souvenir plate is seen to mark the anticipated engagement of Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton. Beneath the portraits of Prince William and Kate Middleton is the message ?Celebrating the Royal marriage of William and Kate," with a space left for the date. The leading high street store has designed a range of memorabilia including traditional china plates, thimbles, mouse mats and Will and Kate shaped pick and mix sweets in anticipation of the event. (Photo by Woolworths via Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Detail of a replica wedding cake for Prince Albert, Duke of York (King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother) at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22, 2011 to April 25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: A cake of Buckingham Palace is displayed at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22-25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: General view of wedding cakes on display at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22-25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: A woman admires a cake featuring figurines of Prince William and Kate Middleton at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22-25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

A cake featuring figurines of Prince William and Kate Middleton is displayed at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: A woman admires a replica wedding cake for Prince Albert, Duke of York (King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother) at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22, 2011 to April 25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: A woman admires a cake featuring Prince William and Kate Middleton at an exhibition of Royal Wedding cakes on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The cake features in the 'Let Them Eat Cake' exhibition inside Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner and is open to the public over Easter from April 22-25, 2011. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: The badge for a limited edition Royal Wedding celebration ale brewed by Fuller's on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The ale will go on sale next week to be served in the run-up to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011 in Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: The badge for a limited edition Royal Wedding celebration ale brewed by Fuller's on April 21, 2011 in London, England. The ale will go on sale next week to be served in the run-up to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011 in Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Union Jack flag bunting decorates a shopping street in sight of Windsor Castle on April 21, 2011 in Windsor, England. Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton in seven days time at Westminster Abbey in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

LONDON - JUNE 27: Kate Middleton (R) and guest attend during the 46664 concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's life at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON - JUNE 27: Kate Middleton attends the 46664 Concert In Celebration Of Nelson Mandela's Life held at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Peter Tatchell has accused the Queen of putting "royalty before human rights" as dictators prepare to join celebrities at this week's royal wedding.

Among the guests who will hear Prince William and his fiancée exchange their wedding vows is the Crown Prince of Bahrain whose Gulf state has violently suppressed democracy protests in recent months.

Weeks of disturbances prompted the Bahraini ruler to impose martial law and invite foreign troops to help to restore order. Scores of doctors are reported to have been detained by security forces apparently for treating injured protesters.

Another guest, King Mswati III of Swaziland, has been criticised by Amnesty International after using armed security forces to crush peaceful demonstrations.

Mr Tatchell said: "It's deplorable that the Queen has invited royal dictators from Bahrain, Swaziland and Saudi Arabia who preside over severe human rights abuses, including detention without trial, torture and violent repression of protests."

St James's Palace defended the wedding list yesterday, insisting the Foreign Office had approved it. "Invitations are extended from the Queen following the long-held tradition of inviting other crowned heads of state; we have taken advice from the Foreign Office about their continued inclusion," a spokesman said.

Libya's UK ambassador had his invitation rescinded after fighting began, but Zimbabwe's ambassador to Britain, Gabriel Machinga, remains invited.

Former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have been overlooked.

St James's Palace said it was because, unlike Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher, they are not Knights of the Garter. "It is not a state occasion, so there is no reason why they would be invited," a spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph.

Update: Bahraini prince pulls out

Belfast Telegraph