Britain has withdrawn the royal wedding invitation to Syria, with the support of Buckingham Palace, after a violent crackdown against pro-democracy supporters, a Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday.

The invitation was withdrawn on the eve of Friday’s wedding between Prince William, the second-in-line to the British throne, and his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, following criticism from some opposition parties and human rights groups.

“In the light of this week’s attacks against civilians by the Syrian security forces, which we have condemned, the Foreign Secretary has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“Buckingham Palace shares the view of the Foreign Office that it is not considered appropriate for the Syrian Ambassador to attend the wedding.” Reuters