The Middle East ruler is one of a number of foreign monarchs criticised for their human rights records or extravagant lifestyles who have been invited to dine with the British Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace has released a guest list for the Sovereign Monarchs lunch being held at Windsor Castle today – the biggest gathering of foreign royals in the UK since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding last year.
Bahrain’s King Hamad Al-Khalifa has been condemned as a despot by former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane in the run up to the lunch.
The Labour MP said many would regret Foreign Secretary William Hague’s decision to approve the inclusion of the Middle East ruler.
But the Foreign Office has stressed it is supporting Bahrain in its attempts to improve its human rights.
