(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Britains Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the evening reception following Britains Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding.

The royal couple, who are preparing to wed at Londons Westminster Abbey today, will be left by Williams grandmother to celebrate late into the night.

The queen, accompanied by her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, will leave the highly-anticipated festivities in London after hosting a lunchtime champagne reception at Buckingham Palace.

The queens absence means she will not hear Williams brother Prince Harrys best man and Michael Middletons father of-the-bride speeches, which they are preparing to make in front of 300 friends and family.

The monarch and her husband are expected to spend the weekend privately in Windsor away from the weddings ongoing events. (C) Cover Media