( CNN ) -- Bahrain 's Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa has decided to decline an invitation to the royal wedding in London , citing the unrest in his country . Al-Khalifa wrote to Britain 's Prince William to let him know that with `` deep regret '' he was declining his invitation . The decision was `` left for as long as possible in the sincere hope that ongoing events -- resulting from recent unrest in the Kingdom of Bahrain -- might have improved , leaving me able to join the celebrations of the House of Windsor and the family of Miss Middleton , without being overshadowed by issues in Bahrain , '' Al-Khalifa wrote . Prince William is set to marry Kate Middleton on Friday . Protests swept the strategically important island kingdom earlier this year as populations across the Arab world rose up against their rulers . Bahrain , where the United States Navy 's Fifth Fleet anchors , is a small , predominantly Shiite country governed by a Sunni royal family . The Bahraini government has been criticized for its response , and some human rights groups have reported that authorities have raided hospitals and tortured doctors and patients in an effort to quell protests . The government denies the claims . The Bahraini prince has defended the government 's actions response to the protests . `` We were immensely concerned that some of our youth were pushed towards a destructive path and that the nation was drawn along with them , '' Al-Khalifa said , according to an official transcript of a recent speech . `` We took necessary action to preserve lives and the livelihood and interests of all the people , based on our commitment to Islamic and Arab values , '' he said . On Sunday , the crown prince said in a statement that he was `` saddened and troubled '' by British media reports concerning his attendance at the royal wedding . Those reports `` fundamentally misrepresented '' his views and outlook on the current crisis , he said . Al-Khalifa ended his note to the British royals by wishing `` Prince William and Miss Middleton all good wishes for Friday and every possible happiness for the future ahead . ''
Prince Salman bin Rashid Al - Khalifa was invited to Prince William 's wedding . He declined the invitation ` ` with deep sadness '' because of crisis in his country . Prince William British media often misrepresent his views on crisis in his country .