Queen Elizabeth’s Cousin Will Have the Very First Same-Sex Royal Wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s won’t be the only historic royal union of the summer.

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, her Majesty’s cousin and the godfather of her son Prince Edward’s eldest child Lady Louise Windsor, will soon wed James Coyle, an airline cabin services director. “All my good friends have accepted James. I basically told everyone: ‘I’ve found somebody — it’s a bloke,'” he gushed to the Daily Mail.

Royal family’s first gay wedding: Queen Elizabeth’s cousin to tie the knot . Lord Ivar Mountbatten, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth (whose husband Prince Philip’s last name is Mountbatten) is set to marry his partner James Coyle in what will be the first gay wedding in British royal family history. According to E! News, Lord Ivar became the first openly gay extended member of the royal family when he came out in 2016 and revealed his relationship with James. In an interview with Daily Mail, Lord Ivar opens up about struggling with his sexuality during his 16-year marriage to ex-wife, Penny, who he shares three children with. Following their divorce 8 years ago, the former couple are still friends with Penny even scheduled to give her ex-husband away when he marries James in the private chapel on his magnificent country estate in Devon. – “It makes me feel quite emotional. I’m really very touched,” Penny said of the honour. And, of course, the couple have the blessing of his entire family including lifelong friend, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex – aka Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son – and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex. – “Sophie and Edward know of our plans and are really excited for us,” says Lord Ivar, adding that sadly the royal couple will not be able to attend the wedding due to prior engagements.” – The couple will tie the knot in a small, private ceremony in front of 120 family members and close friends. #royalfamily #queenelizabeth #jamescoyle #gaywedding #lordivarmountbatten

A post shared by MediaGuide.NG (@mediaguide.ng) on Jun 18, 2018 at 4:03pm PDT

The 55-year-old Lord and his ex-wife Penny divorced in 2011, and she was aware of his bisexuality prior to their marriage, though he never came out as gay until just two years ago. She and their three daughters are all incredibly supportive of his choice to re-marry to James, and they’re actually extremely fond of his newly betrothed as well–so much so that Penny will be giving her former husband away at the ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten to wed his partner James Coyle, marking the royal family’s first gay marriage https://t.co/EBb88f4lWn pic.twitter.com/cEbUEWl5Z6

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 17, 2018

“For me, what’s interesting is I don’t need to get married because I’ve been there, done that and have my wonderful children; but I’m pushing it because I think it’s important for him. James hasn’t had the stable life I have,” he explained, then addressed his partner directly, “I want to be able to give you that.”

The lovers will marry in the private chapel on Lord Ivar’s country estate in Devon later this summer in a small ceremony that will only include close family and friends.