France admits snubbing Queen Elizabeth

PARIS, May 29 (UPI) -- France admits it did not personally invite Britain's Queen Elizabeth to ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day, a government spokesman says.

Luc Chatel of President Nicholas Sarkozy's UMP Party says an invitation was sent to the British government at Britain's request but it was up to the British to decide who they wanted to represent them at the June 6 event.

"The Queen of England, the head of the British state, is naturally welcome," he said, adding that Buckingham Palace has confirmed it did not receive an invitation to the event, according to the normal protocol.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy and U.S. President Barack Obama are scheduled to take part in a ceremony June 6 at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach on the Normandy coast.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders will hold a bilateral summit.