British pop star Elton John tied the knot with long-term partner David Furnish yesterday, joining hundreds of gay couples in England taking advantage of a new law to formalize their relationships. The celebrity couple got hitched at a simple civil partnership ceremony in the royal town of Windsor, west of London, in the same building where heir-to-the-throne Britain?s Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April.

The 58-year-old singer said the ceremony was?the happiest day of my life?, and plans to make it a small, low-key affair with the couple?s parents acting as witnesses. More in keeping with the songwriter?s flamboyant reputation, though, was a lavish party for 700 guests which took place in the evening at John?s mansion near Windsor.

Among the guests were former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and singer George Michael. The new civil partnership law gives gay couples the same property and inheritance rights as married heterosexuals and entitles them to the same pension, immigration and tax benefits. Unlike in Belgium, Spain and Canada it is not a marriage, however, prompting criticism from gay rights campaigners.

?By legislating a two-tier system of relationships, Labour (government) has, in effect, created a form of legal apartheid based on sexual orientation,? Peter Tatchell of the OutRage! group wrote on his Web site. Wednesday is the first day same-sex couples can go through with gay ?weddings? in England, two days after they began in Northern Ireland.

Dylan MARTINEZ