Gay Marriage Legalized in Britain, Overshadowed by Royal Baby Due Date, Queen Elizabeth Gives Her Approval

If the average resident of the Planet Earth were to be asked what the most relevant ongoing news item happening in Britain was, they would probably answer the approaching birth of Prince William and Kate Middleton's child. Lost somehow in the mix was the legalization of gay marriage in the nation, now official after the approval of Queen Elizabeth II.

Prime Minister David Cameron, a backer of the bill, announced the assent of the monarch Wednesday morning before Parliament to cheers.

"I have to notify the House in accordance with the Royal Assent 1967 that Her Majesty has signified her Royal Assent to the following acts... Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill," said John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons.

The bill cleared the House of Commons on Monday and the House of Lords on Tuesday despite intense debates. The law makes it legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married in both public and religious services, although specific denominations can choose to not carry out the services if mandated by the faith. The Church of England, Britain's official religion, is currently opposed to gay marriage.

The marriages will probably begin sometime in the middle of 2014 according to sources close to the bill in Parliament. Further work is still needed to determine the impact of the new legislation on pensions and other programs tied to marriage.

"This is a historic moment that will resonate in many people's lives," said Culture Minister Maria Miller. "I am proud that we have made it happen, and I look forward to the first same sex wedding by next summer."

Check out some other reactions below:

Free headline for British daily paper: QUEEN ENDORSES QUEENS. #gaymarriage #UK #seriouslycongratulationsguys

— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) July 17, 2013

Her royal highness The Queen Approved Gay marriage, what a lady! #LongLiveTheQueen #GayMarriage #Britain — Natalie Friend (@friend_natalie) July 17, 2013

#GayMarriage omfg, so happy, my brother has wanted to propose to his boyfriend forever ❤