Cavalry celebrates gay wedding

A soldier from the Household Cavalry have become the first of the regiment to enter a civil partnership - just 10 years after the army lifted a ban on homosexuals.

The wedding ceremony of Lance Corporal James Wharton, 23, and Thom McCaffrey, 21, a flight attendant, was held at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.

After the ceremony the pair, from Wrexham, headed for a reception at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Knightsbridge barracks.

James said: "The entire regiment has been really supportive."

He continued: "When I went to ask the Squadron Leader, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, for permission to get married, he just said, 'This is fantastic, congratulations'. The lads joked it was the gay event of the year."

Lieutenant Colonel Crispin Lockhart, Wharton's commanding officer, said: "The Household Cavalry has a fine tradition of leading from the front, so it is unsurprising that we continue to represent the face of the modern Army."

The Household Cavalry - one of Britain's oldest and most distinguished regiments - is known for escorting the Queen at state occasions and for the fact that it has two of her grandsons as officers.

Discuss on the Confetti forums

Make sure you plan the party you want with Confetti's essential party planning tips. Party planning tips

If you are planning on jetting off somewhere exotic for your wedding, get advice from Confetti on marrying abroad. Getting married abroad

Cold feet in the run up to the big day are entirely normal, make sure you stay relaxed with Confetti's book of calm. Wedding book of calm

Use Confetti's comprehensive supplier directory to search for everything you need to make your wedding day unique. Wedding directory

Copyright © Press Association 2010