London:
In a rare gesture, Prince William's bride-to-be, Kate Middleton has invited a butcher, a postman and an India-born shopkeeper and his wife from her village in Berkshire for her royal wedding on April 29.
Besides sending out gold-embossed invitations to the likes of soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria and European royalty, Middleton gave instructions for the guest list to be a village affair and extended invitations to local businesses,
The Sunday Times reported.
India-born Chan Shingadiam and his wife Hash, who run a convenience store in Bucklebury, where Kate's parents live, said they were surprised to receive an invitation from the palace and have already accepted it.
Chan's wife has even checked with Kate's father, Michael, whether she can wear a sari to the wedding.
42-year-old Chan, who runs the Peaches store, said Kate "pops in two or three times a week" when she is in the village, often accompanied by William.
"They were here three weeks ago. Kate showed us her ring and she seems very happy with William," said Chan.
"We've been here for 13 years and we've really got to know Kate. She is really caring. She is like a human being, not a celebrity, and she is always a good customer. William is also very down to earth," he said.
Chan and his wife have come to know the royal couple's tastes so well that now they make sure they stock up on Haribo sweets, which they both like, and William's favourite ice cream dessert - mint-favoured Viennetta.
Village butcher Martin Fidler and his wife Sue have also been invited to the wedding.
"We're really looking forward to the day. We've known Kate's mother Carole for years, before she met Kate's father Mike. They've got on with their lives, built up a good business and all their children are a credit to them. You couldn't wish for better," Fidler said.
Other guests from the village include a postman and the landlord of the Old Boot Inn near the Middletons's house, where William and Kate sometimes slip in for a drink.
Middleton's ability to mix with people from different backgrounds was praised last week when she carried out her first official engagements.
On Thursday, she joined William to launch a lifeboat in Anglesey, where the prince works as an air-to-sea rescue pilot.
She was relaxed with the crowds, spoke to children and sang the Welsh national anthem in Welsh.
The next day, Middleton met students at St Andrews University in Fife, where she first encountered William when they were undergraduates.
Later, the couple signed the book of condolences at the New Zealand High Commission in London to commemorate those who died in the Christchurch earthquake.
In keeping with their determination to live as a modern down to earth couple, Kate and William have ensured that their public wedding reflects their private mix of friends and acquaintances.