Back in 2000, they considered launching legal action against the race organisers after they failed to get an invitation.

BBC: Jean Delatour

The authority on etiquette, Debrett's, says traditionally, if you were not known by the bride's mother, you did not get an invitation.

BBC: The plus-one wedding invitation dilemma

It's been going on for the some 40 years that I've been around Washington, and you get an invitation and you decide to go.

NPR: The Work and Ethics of Lobbyists

The Scot has indicated he will not try to go through qualifying for the US Open, although as a two-time runner-up he could get an invitation.

BBC: SPORT | Golf | Monty set to miss US Open

"Very often I get an invitation from a friend for a game and I'll click it and see the permissions, and decide, I'm not really that curious about this app, " she said.

WSJ: Selling You on Facebook

Mr Bush recently noted that Mr Chirac was unlikely to get an early invitation to his Crawford ranch.

ECONOMIST: Off the hook: Turkey, Germany, Russia. But not France

The invitation meant I would get an unvarnished view inside a company that has traditionally shied away from the publicity spotlight.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

It used to be that if you wanted to get access to cutting-edge ideas in technology, you needed an invitation to an exclusive conference like TED, or to attend a university like MIT.

FORBES: It's Now What You Know That Matters - Not Who You Know