Queen Elizabeth’s Cousin Is Going To Be The First Royal To Have A Same Sex Marriage

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The Royal Family has been through some huge changes this year so far. Recently, Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle this summer which broke the Royal status quo, her being a divorced woman of colour.

Now, the first same-sex marriage is set to occur the extended royal family, according to The Daily Mail. Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten has announced that he will be marrying his partner, James Coyle, in a small ceremony in a chapel on his Devon estate.

Mountbatten was previously married to Penelope (Penny) Thompson for 16 years – the pair have three children together, and are on great terms. In a sweet touch, Penny will be giving her ex husband away at the wedding. “It was the girls’ idea,” she told The Daily Mail. “It makes me feel quite emotional. I’m really very touched.”

In the interview, Penny talks about how she knew her ex-husband identified as bisexual before they married.

I could sense he was quite relieved sharing his secret, particularly with someone who was so receptive. Because I have lots of gay friends and cousins, I’m very open-minded about sexuality. He seemed like he’d offloaded a huge burden. It definitely made us closer from that moment onwards because he trusted me.

As for the upcoming nuptials, Mountbatten says he’s doing it for his partner James. “He hasn’t been married. 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,” he explains. “But I’m pushing it because I think it’s important for him… James hasn’t had the stable life I have.”

In the same interview, James spoke about the wedding.

“It’s a very modern marriage. There was no proposal, just an acceptance of this great love. He cares. I care. The girls are very accepting.”

Well, best of luck to the happy couple!

• LGBT
• royal family