dbking from Washington, DC
(CNN) — A bill to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales is now law, though the unions aren’t expected to take place until 2014.
Queen Elizabeth II has given her assent to the bill, which the British House of Commons passed on Tuesday, the house’s speaker, John Bercow, said Wednesday.
The monarch’s assent — a formality in the United Kingdom — makes the measure official. The first same-sex wedding could be held as early as next summer.
