Royal wedding: Final preparations under way

It comes after the couple attended a rehearsal at Westminster Abbey with the bride's parents and Prince Harry.

William is due to spend this evening with the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Harry while Miss Middleton and her family will gather at a hotel.

Meanwhile, St James's Palace says the Syrian ambassador to London is still due to attend the wedding.

The Queen is hosting an event for British and foreign royals on Thursday night.

The drinks reception and dinner is taking place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, near Hyde Park, in central London.

Among those thought to be attending are the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her fiance, England rugby player Mike Tindall.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are expected to attend the reception before returning to Clarence House for their private dinner.

Some 50 foreign heads of state are among the 1,900 invited guests attending the wedding.

Confirmation of the Syrian ambassador's attendance comes despite reports that up to 400 pro-democracy protesters have been killed in his country in recent weeks.

Dr Sami Khiyami was summoned to the Foreign Office to be told Britain regarded the use of force against demonstrators in the country "unacceptable".

VisitBritain has predicted an extra 600,000 people will be in the capital on Friday, with some royal enthusiasts already beginning to pitch tents outside the abbey.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version.