The Catholic Church in England and Wales has issued a prayer asking for God's blessing on the upcoming royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The invocation asks for the couple to be given the strength to serve God, Britain and the Commonwealth with "integrity and faithfulness".

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the worldwide leader of the Anglican church, will wed the couple at London's Westminster Abbey on April 29.

The 1701 Act of Settlement forbids Roman Catholics, or those married to Roman Catholics, from ascending to the British throne.

However, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, who is leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales, said the law did not "weigh heavily on the shoulders" of Catholics.

The prayer in full:

Heavenly Father,

we ask your blessing

upon his Royal Highness, Prince William and Catherine

as they pledge their love for each other in marriage.

May your love unite them through their lives.

Grant them the strength to serve you, our country and the Commonwealth

with integrity and faithfulness.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

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