Elton John, 58, and longtime partner David Furnish, 43, were married Wednesday in England, at Windsor's town hall, where Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April.

The much-publicized union took place on the first day on which same-sex couples were allowed a legal status comparable to marriage -- including the same social security, pension, tax and inheritance rights -- in England and Wales. (The law went into effect earlier this week in Northern Ireland and Scotland.)

The ceremony was followed by a party with 700 guests.

At a press conference, Prime Minister Tony Blair sent the couple his congratulations.

John is set to begin his twenty-four-date residency at Caesars Palace's Coliseum, dubbed the Red Piano tour, in Las Vegas on January 31st.

British pop star George Michael also recently announced his plans to marry longtime boyfriend Kenny Goss in a civil ceremony next year.