British Antarctic Territory to host its first same-sex wedding ceremony

Two crew members from the RRS Sir David Attenborough are to grow to be the primary same-sex couple to marry within the British Antarctic Territory.

Stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, who’ve been collectively for 20 years, can be married by Will Whatley, the ship’s captain, on the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Analysis Station.

The precise date will depend upon the climate however the ceremony is predicted to happen on Monday.

Mr Carpenter stated: “Antarctica is such an unimaginable place.

“We now have been collectively for 20 years however now we’ve each been to Antarctica collectively, it felt like the right place for us to lastly tie the knot.”

The pair are each skilled seafarers and have travelled the world collectively on quite a lot of ships.

Mr Bourne has spent the final three years working for BAS and the pair determined Antarctica would make the right venue for his or her nuptials after Mr Carpenter joined the ship’s crew.

“We’ve even had the co-ordinates of the marriage location engraved into our rings,” Mr Carpenter stated.

The ceremony can be attended by the 30 crew of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, adopted by a reception with round 100 workers from the analysis station.

Meals can be ready by the station’s chef and the power’s resident band will present the music.

Mr Bourne stated: “We’re each very proud to be the primary same-sex marriage to occur in British Antarctic Territory.

“BAS is such a welcoming and accepting employer, and we really feel very fortunate to have the ability to dwell and work in such an unimaginable neighborhood and place collectively.”

The marriage can be registered with the British Antarctic Territory Authorities, which relies within the International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace, and can be legitimate within the UK.

The couple will maintain a second celebration for household and mates later within the 12 months, within the hotter climes of Spain.