Malta’s Parliament yesterday approved the introduction of same-sex marriage through the new Marriage Equality Act with 66 votes in favour and just one against.

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As the vote was being taken, people gathered at Castille Square, where the stage was set for celebrations.

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Auberge de Castille was later lit up in rainbow colours and sported the words "We made history" as fireworks lit the sky.

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Malta is now the 15th member state of the European Union to introduce same-sex marriage.

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Marriage in Malta is now fully gender neutral to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and genderqueer persons are free to contract a marriage with their loved ones.

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It also means that husbands and wives are now free to take on their partner’s surname without distinction.

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Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil both tweeted proudly supporting the decision.

Proud #Malta pic.twitter.com/9VB1PIEkUG

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 12, 2017

By voting in favour in tonight's vote on #MarriageEquality @PNmalta was on the right side of history.

— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) July 12, 2017

Congratulations to all our readers for whom this was a life-changing moment!