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Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton during a visit to St Andrews University in Scotland Friday on Feb. 25, 2011.Andrew Milligan/The Canadian Press

Stephen and Laureen Harper have in hand one of the most coveted invitations of the season. The Prime Minister and his wife are off to the royal wedding next month in London.

Mr. Harper's office issued a statement Wednesday morning, confirming he and his wife will attend the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton on April 29 at Westminster Abbey.

"Canada is one of sixteen realm countries in the Commonwealth and I am delighted that Laureen and I will be able to attend this very historic and happy moment," the Prime Minister says. "We are honoured to represent Canada in order to personally convey the best wishes of all Canadians to the happy couple exactly three months before they undertake a Royal Tour of Canada."

The newly wed royal couple will be in Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. It's a whirlwind visit that will take them across the country between June 30 to July 8.

Governor-General David Johnston and his wife, Sharon, have also been invited to the wedding.

The nuptials could come as Mr. Harper is fighting a general election. There is intense speculation his minority Conservative government will fall in coming weeks, either as a result of the March 22 budget or on an no-confidence vote over a series of small scandals the opposition is attempting to capitalize on.

However, photographs of the Prime Minister on the world stage at such a happy occasion could play well in most parts of the country during a campaign.

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