manchester showbiz
Wednesday, 21st December 2005
Sir Elton ties the knot THE HAPPY COUPLE: David Furnish and Sir Elton John The showbiz couple “married” in an emotional civil partnership ceremony at the Windsor Guildhall after 12 years together.
Only 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.
Among them were close friends artist Sam Taylor-Wood and her husband, art dealer Jay Jopling.
Mr Jopling said afterwards: “They kissed at the end. It was very, very happy. It was just like any other couple getting married.”
Ms Taylor-Wood added: “It was beautiful. It was very emotional.”
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 a beaming Gladys said: “I’m very proud.”
Sir Elton and Mr Furnish’s black and white spaniel Arthur was also a privileged guest. The happy couple emerged from the Guildhall arm-in-arm after the 20-minute ceremony.
Sober
Instead of their usual colourful attire, they wore sober black morning suits - Sir Elton’s one flamboyant touch was a diamond brooch on his lapel.
The pop star greeted the crowds of wellwishers with a regal wave.
He thanked them for their support and blew kisses, telling them: “I love you.”
Sir Elton, 58, and Canadian film-maker Mr Furnish, 43, posed happily for photographers but there was no public kiss.
The ceremony was conducted by registrar Clair Williams, who also presided over the union between Charles and Camilla.
It cost the couple £560 - they received a £100 discount on the room hire because they are residents of the Royal Borough.
Two employees of ice-cream firm Ben & Jerry’s were thrust into the limelight when Mr Furnish spotted the “wedding cake” they had specially prepared for the occasion.
The “vanilla and appley ever after cake” was topped by two tin soldier figures supporting guardsman-style helmets.
Lisa Dale, 37, and her 29-year-old colleague, Philippa Marshall, caught the couple’s eye as they emerged from the Guildhall.
Ms Dale said: “We were just crouching down and David just happened to look over and see it and nudged Elton. We just went for it and ran over.”
Ms Marshall added: “Elton just touched his heart and said ’I’m really touched’, it was incredible.”
After the ceremony, the couple left in a chauffeur-driven black Rolls-Royce.
They returned to their nearby mansion to celebrate with an intimate family meal before the major festivities begin this evening.
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