Lord Ivar Mountbatten is the first member of the royal family to come out as gay. Not only that, he is also married to his husband James Coyle. The royal’s marriage was supported by his ex-wife and even his three children. Lord Ivar’s marriage might be a pivotal point for the royal family’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Lord Mountbatten is King Charles’ second cousin. He was born to David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven, and Janet Mercedes Bryce in 1963. The 63-year-old was previously married to Penny Thompson.
The exes got married in 1994 in a grand ceremony that Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew attended. Penny and Ivar share three daughters from their marriage. The ex-couple decided to go their separate ways and divorced in 2018.
Lord Ivar Mountbatten met his now husband James Coyle while he was at a bar in a ski resort. Coyle mistook the royal to be his ski instructor and greeted him by shouting “Hello” at him. The couple decided to get married in 2018 in an intimate ceremony while being surrounded by friends and family.
The wedding took place in Devon, the venue was a chapel in Bridwell. 64 guests in total attended to give their blessings to the happy couple. No royal family members were in attendance for the ceremony. Though Ivar’s daughter and ex-wife were to be a part of his special day.
Not only did the royal’s ex-wife attend the ceremony, but she was also the ‘best woman.’ The Earl and Countess of Wessex, who were invited and couldn’t make it to the wedding, sent their “warmest wishes” to the couple.
The Queen’s cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, has released adorable pics of his wedding to James Coyle, where he became the first member of the Queen’s extended family to enter a same-sex marriage ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hI1s2TxCVd
— Times Style (@TimesStyle) September 25, 2018
The royal admitted how he always knew he was bisexual and had come out to his ex-wife before their marriage. In an interview with Tatler, he added how he ‘didn’t want to live as openly gay’ until his divorce with Penny was publicized.
Lord Mountbatten revealed how his daughter Ella was “very cool about” him being gay when he came out to her. “All her friends go on weekends where they snog each other, boy or girl, then go back and tell each other,” he added. The royal went on to note how his daughter’s generation is “unfazed” by it all. He also recalled how his mother had always taught him to “try everything once.”
The royal’s marriage to his husband is a monumental moment for the royal family. Lord Ivar was asked if he thinks his marriage was beneficial for the royal family. “Well, you would hope so!” he simply replied. He went on to add how the royals don’t really talk about this kind of stuff.
LGBTQ NEWS: British Royal Family had its first gay wedding on Saturday
The 55-year-old Lord Ivar Mountbatten, who is The Queen’s cousin, tied the knot with his partner James Coyle, which is officially the first ever same-sex marriage within the ruling British monarchy. pic.twitter.com/kfyl3NkF6F
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) September 25, 2018
“But then they don’t really talk about it. I mean, the royals, they don’t communicate very well,” the royal revealed. Prince William has previously opened up about his stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
The royal was asked about what his reaction might be if one of his children were to come out as gay. The Prince of Wales noted how it would be “absolutely fine” by him and how he would “fully support any decision they make.”
Scroll below to see pictures of the couple.
