Helen Mirren: 'I won't watch royal wedding'

Dame Helen Mirren has claimed that she will not be watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The 65-year-old, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen, revealed her plan to jet off to somewhere remote after failing to secure an invitation to Friday's ceremony.

She told The Mail On Sunday: "I'll probably be in a little Italian bar somewhere and the football will be on. I'll ask, 'Can you switch it over to the royal wedding?' and they will say, 'What wedding?'"

Mirren, who previously empathised with Middleton over the "stress" of her high-profile wedding, expressed further discomfort at seeing the couple profess their love for each other in front of a worldwide audience.

She argued: "I know this sounds ridiculous, but I think people getting married should be a private thing. I hope they will also do an absolutely private wedding just for them."

Celebrity well-wishers attending the royal wedding include Guy Ritchie, Joss Stone, Sir Elton John and the Beckham family.

Watch Helen Mirren in the trailer for The Queen below.