Inside the royal family’s first ever gay marriage as Lord admits ‘they don’t really talk about it’
Topics: Royal Family, LGBTQ, Wedding, Sex and Relationships
Jen Thomas
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ivarmountbatten/gettystockimage
Topics: Royal Family, LGBTQ, Wedding, Sex and Relationships
He has been making a name for himself off the back of starring in The Traitors US, but Lord Ivar Mountbatten is also making history for being a part of the British royal family's first-ever gay marriage.
The 62-year-old - who is King Charles' second cousin - married husband James Coyle back in 2018.
The happy couple had an intimate wedding in Devon, held in a chapel at Bridwell, Ivar's grand home.
It is his second wedding, after he had a much fancier affair for his first marriage to Penny Thompson back in 1994, which had the likes of Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew in attendance.
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There were no royals in attendance for the wedding of James and Ivar, who starred in the third season of The Traitors US, although they did invite the Earl and Countess of Wessex - his daughters' godparents - who 'sent their warmest wishes.'
Ivar's three daughters from his first marriage attended, along with 64 guests, who were treated to a gospel choir.
They had a very special 'best woman' for the event: Ivar's ex-wife Penny, who is apparently in full support of their union following their divorce back in 2011.
Speaking in an interview with Tatler, Ivar admitted he always knew he was bisexual and had told Penny before their marriage, but 'didn't want to live as openly gay' until after their divorce was finalised.
Ivar says his children are also supportive: "When I mentioned it to Ella she was very cool about it. All her friends go on weekends where they snog each other, boy or girl, then go back and tell each other. I think that generation are just totally unphased by it all."
He also said his mother is of the opinion of 'try everything once'.
Brilliant.
Lord Mountbatten is second cousin to King Charles III, and is the son of The Third Marquess of Milford Haven David Mountbatten, who was first cousins with Prince Philip.
Many are seeing the nuptials as a big step forward for the royal family when it comes to acknowledging gay rights.
It's a topic Prince William has also spoken about, as he was asked about how he would react if one of his children came out as gay.
William said it would 'absolutely fine by me' if any of his children came out as gay and insisted he would 'fully support any decision they make.'
Ivar was asked whether he thinks his marriage is beneficial for the royal family, and simply responded: "Well, you would hope so!"
He added: "But then they don't really talk about it. I mean, the royals, they don't communicate very well."
The couple met by accident at a bar at a ski resort, after James mistakenly thought Ivar was his ski instructor and shouted 'hello!'.
We love a meet-cute.
James sweetly says having Ivar's three daughters in his life has been the 'icing on the cake.'
'"It's one thing that could have gone really badly wrong for the relationship. If even one of the daughters had been unhappy about it I don't think it would have worked. But we all get on incredibly well. I like to think they can confide in me," he said.
"So this is the icing on the cake. I've got a husband and a ready made Family. Also Penny has been so open and kind about it. It has been lovely."
James is a former senior cabin crew member, and the couple regularly go on exotic trips which they document on Ivar's Instagram.