Elton John, 'Single Man' No More

Along the way John changed personas and appearances as often as he hit the top of the charts. Early in his career he was the self-proclaimed "Captain Fantastic" with ever more outrageous costumes and glasses and high-heeled boots. In 1988, balding and chubby and famous for boozy tantrums, he sold off his theatrical glitter-wear and started fighting his addictions. By the early 1990s he reemerged with a full head of newly planted hair, and since then he has gradually settled into something of a quieter -- if still famously prickly -- elder statesman of the pop music biz, with five homes and a Sir in front of his name.

In a column he wrote for the Observer on Sunday, the star said he hoped his legal partnership with Furnish would serve as a sign of hope for other gay couples around the world. Citing Amnesty International, he said that laws in 80 countries around the world criminalize adult same-sex relations, noting that just last month 26 men were arrested in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, for allegedly holding a "gay wedding ceremony."

Several European countries have legalized same-sex unions. It is unclear whether any of these unions would be recognized in the United States, where only Massachusetts allows gay marriage, with Vermont permitting civil unions. While there seems to be a growing acceptance of gays in England and newspapers have begun running civil partnership notices alongside wedding notices, the feeling is hardly universal.

"It's a complete abomination," said Stephen Green, national director of a lobby group, Christian Voice. He said he believed most English people were horrified at the considerable news splash given to these partnerships.

The Daily Mail today printed pictures of an Elton John look-alike wearing a puffy white wedding gown. For days papers have been filled with talk of the need for "Mr. And Mr." matching towels.

Green said the public has had enough. "I should think the majority of people will be absolutely sickened by the sight of two men and two women kissing after a sham ceremony," he said, adding the law was enacted by "an elite that holds the views of ordinary people in this country and the commandments of almighty God in contempt."

Protesters held placards saying "Sodomy Is a Sin" in Belfast earlier this week when a lesbian couple registered their civil partnership. But there was no sign of protests here today outside the ornate town hall or anywhere along the narrow main street, lined with tidy little shops such as the Crooked Tea Room and Glorious Britain gift shop.

The mood was jolly, as TV camera crews from around the world descended on the tourist town of 130,000, whose centerpiece is Windsor Castle, an imposing structure that dates to the 11th century and sits just one block from the hall where the civil partnership ceremony was held.

One man in the crowd held a huge cartoon drawing of Elton John, Furnish and Queen Elizabeth with the monarch quipping, "And I thought I was the only Queen in this village."

As well-wishers threw rice, Lisa Dale, who works in Windsor, ran past mounted police and approached the couple. She handed them a homemade wedding cake of Ben and Jerry's strawberry cheesecake ice cream and topped with two toy British soldiers. John and Furnish thanked her with kisses.

"Thank you so much," John said, turning to the crowd and smiling broadly.

Sara Hodgson, 48, who had traveled hours from the Isle of Wight, said that moment made it all worth it.

She said she has been to nine of his concerts and still isn't sure whether "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" or "The Bitch Is Back" is her favorite song. But she was totally awestruck to be so close -- just a few yards -- from her idol. And she was moved that it was at such an important moment.

"They have had to put up with a lot for this day," she said.

Researcher Alexandra Topping contributed to this report.