British actor Colin Firth has accepted honorary Italian citizenship and is now a citizen of both Britain and Italy.
According to The Independent, Firth, who is married to Livia Giuggioli, reportedly made the initial application in response to the UK leaving the European Union.
Firth has offered an official statement, which read, "A connection with Italy has existed for more than two decades now. I was married there and had two children born in Rome. My wife and I are both extremely proud of our own countries."
The statement continued, "We never really thought much about our different passports. But now, with some of the uncertainty around, we thought it sensible that we should all get the same. Livia is applying for a British passport. I will always be extremely British (you only have to look at or listen to me)."
Recently, while talking to a local Australian publication, the Oscar-winning actor said, "Brexit does not have a single. positive aspect for me. Many colleagues, including Emma Thompson, are - like me - enthusiastic Europeans. And we still cannot believe it."
His official statement, concluded with, "Britain is our home and we love it here. Despite the enticements of my profession to relocate to more remunerative climes, I've always chosen to base my career out of the UK and pay my taxes here. That hasn't changed.
A statement has also been issued from the Italian interior ministry, which read, "The very famous actor, who won an Oscar for the film The King's Speech, is married to a citizen from our country and has often declared his love for our land."
Firth and Giuggioli currently live in Chiswick with their two sons, and own a house near the Italian town of Citta della Pieve.
Firth's announcement came just hours after Theresa May's speech in Florence, in which the Prime Minister conceded that Britain would have to accept EU free movement and stay in the single market for at least two years after Brexit.
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