Lord Ivar Mountbatten is set to tie the knot with his partner James Coyle during the British summertime, as the royal family gears up for its first gay wedding.
As the Daily Mail report, the couple has support from all corners – including the ex-wife who’ll be giving Lord Mountbatten away.
It hails an incredible 2018 for the monarchy, as Prince Harry married Meghan Markle during a lavish ceremony in May. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been lauded as royalty for the 21st century.
Who is Lord Ivar Mountbatten?
Mountbatten, 55, is most befitting of that title as well. He is Queen Elizabeth’s cousin and son of the Third Marquess of Milford Haven.
In a candid 2016 interview, he announced that he had struggled with his sexuality before and during his first marriage to Lady Penny Mountbatten.
Penny herself has been a bedrock of support for her ex-husband. She told the publication that she’s seen a different, more loving side to Ivar since he accepted who he truly is:
“Ivar is so much more relaxed these days. He’s so much kinder. He probably wasn’t even aware that by keeping his sexuality a secret it was really quite tormenting him. Now it’s ‘out’ he’s a completely different person. Everybody says they’ve never seen him happier.”
What do we know about the first royal gay wedding?
After 16 years of matrimony and three children, Ivar couldn’t escape his feelings. He went on to meet Coyle – who is one year his senior – at the swanky Swiss ski resort of Verbier, and they’ve been an item for the last two years.
However, the pair won’t be decking the streets bunting or hiring out Windsor Castle. They’ve gone for a quieter affair than what we saw last month. They plan to wed at a private chapel on Mountbatten’s estate in Devon, south-west England.
Around 120 members are said to be on the guest list for the intimate ceremony.
