Pride London Parade, July 2011 (Photo credit: Nichole_Rowbottom)

Britain has legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow told lawmakers on Wednesday that gay marriage had become enshrined in law— the day after the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales cleared Parliament.The Queen’s approval of the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill was a formality, and now clears the way for the first gay marriages, the first of which are expected to be conducted by Summer 2014.The bill enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales. It also will allow couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership to convert their relationship to a marriage.

Read More Finally legal: Queen gives gay marriage the Royal Assent – Home News – UK – The Independent.