Elton John to Officially Marry Partner David Furnish

Nine years after entering into a civil partnership, Elton John and David Furnish are now set to officially marry in a private ceremony this weekend, a rep for the singer has confirmed.

Same-sex marriages were legalized in the U.K. in March, but the law allowing gay couples to convert their civil partnerships — which offer the same legal protections and rights as heterosexual marriages but without the ‘marriage’ label — only came into effect last week.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in March, Furnish said that while the couple didn’t “feel the need” to take the extra step, it was something they still wanted to do.

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“Since we’re committed for life, we feel it’s really important to take that step, and take advantage of that amazing change in legislation. We all live by example,” he said.

John, 67, released his 29th solo studio album last year is set to perform on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015. In a special live appearance from his concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he’ll play “I’m Still Standing” right after the ball drops, making him the program’s first performer of 2015.