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P&O and Cunard cancel same-sex weddings after Bermuda law change

Same-sex weddings hosted on ships registered in Bermuda will no longer be permitted after the British overseas territory repealed a law on the issue.

Sister cruise lines Cunard and P&O Cruises both have ships registered in Bermuda.

They said they were “very unhappy” about the change in legislation, which will outlaw same-sex marriage ceremonies on their ships.

“We do not underestimate the disappointment this will cause those guests who have planned their weddings,” the companies said in a statement to the BBC.

The lines will instead be offering same-sex couples on-board alternative “commitment” ceremonies.

The Atlantic island, which is home to 60,000 people, legalised marriage between homosexual couples in May 2017, following a Supreme Court ruling.

But a new domestic partnership at approved by Bermuda governor John Rankin on Wednesday, rolls back the legalisation.

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