SAUDI ARABIA’S crown prince was reportedly forced to cancel his invitation to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral today following outrage over his visit to Britain. 

Mohammed Bin Salman was invited to attend the grand event, despite evidence that he ordered the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. 

News of his visit to Britain sparked protests and condemnation from rights groups, which accused Prince Mohammed of using the funeral to whitewash Saudi Arabia’s appalling human rights record.

The Gulf kingdom was instead represented by Prince Turki bin Mohammed al-Saud, according to reports, a change reportedly made by Saudi Arabia.

Campaigners claimed the last-minute decision was the result of public opposition to his visit. 

However, other leaders from repressive Gulf states remained on the guest list for the Queen’s funeral, including Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. 

Protesters against the island’s dictator were due to gather outside the BBC Broadcasting House in central London on Monday afternoon.

Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy director of advocacy Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said: “It’s clear that the prince’s last minute decision not to take part in the queen’s funeral was a result of public pressure that demonstrated he isn’t welcome in London.

“It is a shame to see dictator Hamad was greeted at Buckingham Palace yesterday, while there are hundreds of political prisoners suffering the worst conditions for daring to demand democracy. 

“Those tyrants should not be allowed to use the queen’s funeral to legitimise their repression.”

Human rights groups have accused the Bahrain government of serious human rights violations, including torture and the arbitrary detention of pro-democracy protesters.