Princes William and Harry, Princess Mary of Denmark and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are among the world's VIPs invited to Melbourne's Commonwealth Games next month.

Movie stars Nicole Kidman and Eric Bana, surfing hero Kelly Slater and his girlfriend, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, are believed to be on the official invitation list.

A Commonwealth Games source told the Sunday Herald Sun the Games' VIP list was almost finalised.

Socialite Paris Hilton and Kidman's new partner, singer Keith Urban, are expected to join the Games' party of stars in Melbourne.

Princes William and Harry are believed to show interest in the Rugby 7s competition.

The royal brothers have been sent official invitations.

"We're getting close and there are some very interesting names emerging," the source said.

Princess Mary is yet to reply to the invitation, but it is understood Dr Rice will attend.

World leaders Nelson Mandela and British PM Tony Blair have been invited, as well as high-profile stars Barry Humphries, Cate Blanchett and Kylie Minogue.

Philanthropists Dick Pratt and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch are expected to be guests.

Sporting heroes John Landy, Cathy Freeman and Andrew Gaze, controversial former Commonwealth Games boss Arthur Tunstall and Olympic powerbroker Kevan Gosper are likely to attend the Games.

Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett, former AFL stars Jason McCartney and Jim Stynes and World Vision chief Tim Costello will run with the baton on the big day.

But the runners, lining up in the final stages of the Opening Ceremony, remain a secret.

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