The legal age of marriage increased to 18 in England and Wales

In England and Wales, a new law raises the legal age of marriage to 18.

Previously, marriage at the age of 16 or 17 was permitted with parental consent, and there was no law prohibiting holding an unannounced marriage ceremony for younger children.

According to BBC news, the new regulation also covers these ceremonies. The government said this would help protect children.

Forced marriage used to be a crime only if there was a threat. But now, with or without coercion, child marriage has become illegal. Violators of the new regulation face up to seven years in prison.

This change does not apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the legal age of marriage is 16. In Northern Ireland, marriages under the age of 18 require parental consent, while in Scotland there is no such requirement.