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elton john children© Photo: Getty Images

Sir Elton John's husband David Furnish granted British citizenship after 27 years

Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
February 1, 2017
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Sir Elton John's husband David Furnish is celebrating becoming a British citizen. Canada-born David, marked the occasion by sharing a photograph on Instagram showing him holding hands with the couple's two sons, Zachary, six, and Elijah, four, in front of a portrait of the Queen. In an apparent reference to President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban, he also praised the UK for championing the "spirit of acceptance and tolerance".

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david furnish 1a© Photo: Instagram

Sir Elton John's husband David Furnish has been granted British citizenship

He wrote: "A very emotional morning for me. This morning, I was sworn in as a British citizen. As an immigrant, I moved to the UK more than 27 years ago. I was welcomed with open arms. This spirit of acceptance, tolerance and diversity has allowed me to achieve a life beyond my wildest dreams. I am a very blessed man, and I am extremely proud to now carry both British and Canadian passports @eltonjohn #ShareTheLove."

It comes just a few weeks after David and Elton celebrated both their civil partnership and wedding day anniversary. The couple were the first high-profile couple to tie the knot in a UK civil ceremony on 21 December 2005 – the day the Civil Partnership Act came into force. And exactly nine years to the day later, they were married, when same-sex marriage was made legal in 2014.

david elton

Sir Elton and David recently celebrated their civil partnership and wedding anniversary

Alongside a photo of himself with Elton, David wrote: "23 years ago when I met this extraordinary man, I never dreamed that one day I would be able to legally marry the man I love. 2 years ago that dream became a reality. I want to thank everyone that fought to make that dream possible. I also want to thank all the wonderful friends and family who loyally stand by us and support us every day. @eltonjohn @whereloveisillegal #ShareTheLove."

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Sir Elton also shared a touching anniversary message on Instagram. "Today is our Civil Partnership and Wedding Anniversary," he wrote. "I am so grateful to live in a country that acknowledges and supports same sex relationships. David and I feel very blessed. After 23 years together, we are blissfully happy. Love is universal. @davidfurnish #ShareTheLove."