Elton John Marries David Furnish & Shares The Love on Instagram

Stars including the Beckhams, Ed Sheeran and Gary Barlow attend

Published 22nd Dec 2014

Elton John and his long-term partner David Furnish officially converted their civil partnership into a marriage at their Windsor estate yesterday (21st December).

Music legend Sir Elton joined Instagram on the eve of his wedding so he could share images on his special day along with the hashtag #ShareTheLove.

The couple welcomed a string of high-profile stars to their home for the celebrations including the Beckhams, Ed Sheeran, Lulu, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Bush, David Walliams, Jimmy Carr, Lulu and Gary Barlow.

! The happy couple make it official

Elton and David’s two sons, four-year-old Zachary and 23-month-old Elijah, both served as ring bearers at the lavish ceremony surrounded by their multi-million pound art collection.

One poignant photo of Elijah holding hands with the happy couple was taken by his older brother Zachary after he’d “grabbed David’s iPhone.”

Alongside the photos, Elton also gave a running commentary throughout the day. He said of the décor: “The tables look stunning! We had red roses at our Civil Partnership 9 years ago and they brought us so much luck. #ShareTheLove.”

! The lavish reception room

Elton, 67, entered into a civil partnership with 52-year-old Furnish nine years earlier to the day – 21st December 2005 – the first day that same sex civil partnerships could be performed in England. The couple began dating in 1993.

Earlier this year, Elton spoke of his delight at gay marriages becoming legal in the UK. "I'm very proud of Britain and the laws that we've seen come into existence since we've been together," he told NBC.

"Having our civil partnership was an incredible breakthrough for people that have campaigned for a long time.

! The menu

“Through the '60s and the '50s in England when it was so hard to be gay and hard to be open about it. And it was a criminal act.

"So for this legislation (gay marriage) to come through is joyous, and we should celebrate it. We shouldn't just say, 'Oh, well we have a civil partnership. We're not going to bother to get married.' “We will get married.”

Celebrities in attendance also took to social media to pass on their congratulations to the happy couple.

! Elton with Ed Sheeran, Gary Barlow, Lulu and Kate Bush

Brooklyn Beckham wrote: "Amazing day with family and special friends congratulations Uncle Elton and Uncle David #ShareTheLove."

Gary Barlow wrote “what an incredible day” and, sharing a photo of Elton and David cutting their cake, David Walliams called the occasion “magnificent.”

Jimmy Carr said: "#ShareTheLove at the beautiful wedding of two beautiful people. Wishing Elton & David every happiness. X"

! "The perfect end to the perfect day. So many kind thoughts and wishes. #ShareTheLove"