Two stewards on a research ship are to become the first same-sex couple to marry in the British Antarctic Territory.
Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter will tie the knot at Rothera Research Station tomorrow.
The ceremony will be conducted by Will Whatley, captain of RRS Sir David Attenborough.
Stephen said: “We’re both very proud to be the first same-sex marriage in British Antarctic Territory.
"We’ve even had the co-ordinates of the wedding location engraved into our rings.”
Eric has worked for British Antarctic Survey for three years.
The decision to marry was made after Stephen joined the crew. Stephen said: “We’ve been together for 20 years but now we’ve both been to Antarctica together, it felt like the perfect place to finally tie the knot.”
The ceremony will be attended by the ship’s 30 crew followed by a reception with 100 research station staff. The marriage will be registered with the BAT and valid in the UK.
