Elton John has turned down ?5.7 million pounds from a U.S. television network for the exclusive rights to his upcoming civil union ceremony with long-time partner David Furnish.

The couple had contemplated accepting the offer and putting the money in the Elton John AIDS Foundation, but later told gay magazine Attitude that they?d decided to keep the affair private.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, the first day same-sex partnerships will be permitted in Britain, in Windsor’s Guildhall where Prince Charles married Camilla Parker-Bowles.

John and Furnish will keep the ceremony a modest affair, with their parents being the only invited guests.

“They’ve been so fantastic to us and so supportive,? says John. ?Out of respect for their support, we want to just keep it small. Not to make a ballyhoo of the ceremony.

“There will be a party somewhere, but the day will be very low-key and we’ll take our parents to lunch afterwards.”






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