London, UK -
Legendary singer/songwriter Elton John and his longtime partner David Furnish formalized their relationship this week in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, England, the same venue Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, used for their marriage in April.
John, 58, and Furnish, 43, a Canadian film-maker, were among the first gay couples in England to take advantage of the Civil Partnership Act, a U.K. law that gives same-sex couples similar property and inheritance rights to married heterosexual couples.
The London Times reported 687 couples were having civil ceremonies Wednesday, the first day same-sex unions were recognized in England and Wales. The partnerships are not regarded as marriages under U.K. law but as civil partnerships, despire media reports to the contrary.
The ceremony was attended by John's mother and stepfather, Furnish's parents and a small selection of friends. The couple waved to well- wishers and the media outside the Guildhall after the ceremony. John blew kisses and mouthed “Thank you” to fans.
The couple was expected to celebrate their partnership with about 700 guests at a party Wednesday evening that reportedly cost the couple a whopping 1 million pounds ($1.75 million), according to Sky News.
Celebrities Sharon Osbourne, Liz Hurley, Mary J. Blige and Donatella Versace were among the guests. John has asked that in lieu of gifts, people donate money to his Aids charity.
Written By Ross von Metzke
John, 58, and Furnish, 43, a Canadian film-maker, were among the first gay couples in England to take advantage of the Civil Partnership Act, a U.K. law that gives same-sex couples similar property and inheritance rights to married heterosexual couples.
The London Times reported 687 couples were having civil ceremonies Wednesday, the first day same-sex unions were recognized in England and Wales. The partnerships are not regarded as marriages under U.K. law but as civil partnerships, despire media reports to the contrary.
The ceremony was attended by John's mother and stepfather, Furnish's parents and a small selection of friends. The couple waved to well- wishers and the media outside the Guildhall after the ceremony. John blew kisses and mouthed “Thank you” to fans.
The couple was expected to celebrate their partnership with about 700 guests at a party Wednesday evening that reportedly cost the couple a whopping 1 million pounds ($1.75 million), according to Sky News.
Celebrities Sharon Osbourne, Liz Hurley, Mary J. Blige and Donatella Versace were among the guests. John has asked that in lieu of gifts, people donate money to his Aids charity.
Written By Ross von Metzke
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.
