Sir Elton ties knot at wedding of the year

IT WAS predicted to be a sober affair. But no-one believed that Britain's most flamboyant celebrity couple would attend their own wedding in morning suits.

Sir Elton John and his long-term partner, David Furnish, surprised pundits by arriving at Windsor's Guildhall in black and white ties - a far cry from the wigs and Regency costumes they have sported in the past. And in traditional newly-wed style, the couple sealed their union with a kiss.

But the true showbiz celebration was to take place later at Crimp Hill, Sir Elton's mansion in Berkshire, with a glittering bash for more than 700 guests, including A-list celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Liz Hurley.

As one of the first same-sex couples to take advantage of the new civil partnerships, Sir Elton, 58, can rest in the knowledge that his partner, Mr Furnish, 43, will have pension and inheritance rights to his 185 million fortune.

The Civil Partnership Act mirrors almost exactly the laws covering financial settlements on divorce. In Sir Elton's case this includes a 20 million property portfolio with his house in Berkshire, a London pad, a Venetian apartment, an Atlanta penthouse and a summer residence in the south of France.

Almost 700 other same-sex couples in England took advantage of the new laws, exchanging vows yesterday. Other famous faces tying the knot included the actor, Sir Anthony Sher, at Islington register office.

Because of a bureaucratic mix-up, Scottish couples were able to wed a day earlier, on Tuesday, when same-sex partners signed up in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

It was Sir Elton's second wedding; he was married to a woman, a German sound engineer Renate Blauel, for three years from 1984. But as one of the most well-known figures for the gay community, Sir Elton set the tone for the new era of same-sex unions.

The only flash of extravagance on the couple's outfits was a diamond brooch worn by Sir Elton. Just a handful of guests witnessed the private ceremony - held in the same venue where the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles married in April.

Sir Elton and Mr Furnish arrived for their 11am ceremony in a black saloon with tinted windows. With them were close friends, artist Sam Taylor-Wood and her husband, art dealer Jay Jopling, who held the couple's black-and-white spaniel, Arthur.

Mr Jopling said afterwards: "They kissed at the end. It was very, very happy. It was just like any other couple getting married."

Sir Elton's mother, Sheila, and stepfather, Fred, and Mr Furnish's parents, Gladys and Jack, who flew in from their native Canada, were also there.

Jack Furnish described it as "one of the happiest days of my life" and his beaming wife said: "I'm very proud."

Mr Furnish, a filmmaker, and Sir Elton have been together for 12 years. Both have said they understand the implications of their union.

"As far as I'm concerned, I've always considered myself committed to Elton and he's the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. So in that sense I don't feel like the dynamic of our relationship is going to change," Mr Furnish told Attitude magazine.

"But from a social standpoint, I think it is hugely significant. It is a major, major change. It is one of the defining issues of our times."

The happy couple emerged from the Guildhall arm-in-arm after the 20-minute ceremony.

The pop star greeted the crowds of well-wishers with a regal wave. He thanked them for their support and blew kisses, telling them: "I love you." Among those offering congratulations was the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who said: "I wish [Sir Elton] and David well, and all the other people exercising their rights under the civil partnerships law."

After the ceremony, the couple left in a chauffeur-driven black Rolls-Royce. They returned to their nearby home to celebrate with an intimate family meal before the major evening festivities.

As that got under way, the actors Helena Bonham Carter and Sir Michael Caine were among the stars caught up in Britain's most glamorous traffic jam.

Liz Hurley sat sending a text message as she waited to be ushered through the gates. Just ahead, was the Osborne family, while the Scots singer Lulu pointed at the traffic and said: "This could only happen for Elton."

The former Beatle Ringo Starr flashed a peace sign as he sat in the congestion, and chef Gordon Ramsay said "Merry Christmas" to the waiting media.

At the back of the hour-and-a-half-long traffic jam was the musician Sting. The actress Sharon Stone flew the flag for Hollywood, while the world of fashion was represented by the model Claudia Schiffer and the design-house leader, Donatella Versace.

A marquee was put up in the garden, decorated with Sir Elton's favourite flower, lilies. The event's cost is believed to cost more than 1 million.