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July 17, 2013 / 12:55 PM

England, Wales legalize same-sex marriage with Queen's royal approval

London Mayor Ken Livingstone leads the Euro Pride parade through London in 2006. Seven years later, a bill has been passed to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales. (UPI Photo/Johnny Armstead/Pool)

London Mayor Ken Livingstone leads the Euro Pride parade through London in 2006. Seven years later, a bill has been passed to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales. (UPI Photo/Johnny Armstead/Pool) | License Photo

A bill to make gay marriage legal throughout England and Wales has been signed by Queen Elizabeth II, making it one of the most far-reaching pieces of social legislation during her reign.

The Queen's signature was mostly a formality, but is the last step necessary for a bill to become law. The bill cleared the House of Commons Tuesday.

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The bill will allow same-sex marriage in both civil and religious ceremonies by next summer. The Church of England remains barred from conducting same-sex marriages.

A similar bill is expected to make gay marriage legal in Scotland by 2015, while Protestant parties defeated a marriage equality law in Northern Ireland earlier this year.

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