The British Royal family is going to have its first public gay marriage.
Lord Ivar Mountbatten is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and great-nephew of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who came out as bisexual in 2016.
Now, he’s getting ready to marry his long-term partner James Coyle.
The two will get married at a private chapel in Devon in front of close friends and family including Mountbatten’s three daughters, Ella, Alix, and Luli. In addition, he'll be given away by his ex-wife.
Mountbatten shared with MailOnline that his friends and extended family, the royal family, have no qualms with his upcoming marriage.
All my good friends have accepted James,” he revealed. “I basically told everyone: ‘I’ve found somebody — it’s a bloke.’ They just started laughing.
“Then they met James and one particular mate said: ‘If I was gay, I’d certainly go for him.'”
“Being completely truthful, it doesn’t sit comfortably with me that I’m going out with a man,” he said.
“I’ve lived my whole life as a heterosexual. So, all of a sudden, having a bloke around is unusual — even now.
“It’s brilliant but I suppose in an ideal world I would prefer to have a wife because that has always been the norm.”
That said, Mountbatten shared that he’s growing to accept and appreciate his sexuality.
“We were talking with friends in Bermuda about this nature-nurture business not so long ago,” said Mountbatten.
“I knew from the age of eight I was more attracted to men. I definitely think it’s in the genes. You’re either gay or you’re not."
Then Mountbatten moved on to talking about the wedding. Why he’s having it and what he plans it to be like.
“I really wanted to do it for 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; but I’m pushing it because I think it’s important for him.
“James hasn’t had the stable life I have,” he continued, before turning to his partner, an airline cabin services director, and telling him: “I want to be able to give you that.”
Coyle also added: “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."
“Three years ago they were saying: ‘Wow. Are you guys going to get married?’
We said: ‘Don’t be ridiculous. It’s absolutely not on the radar at all.’ But gradually it has become something that makes sense.
“Now we’ve started to get a plan in place, I’m getting a lot more excited. We went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago and said: ‘We’re not doing that. We’re not cutting cakes. We’re not having a first dance.’
‘We’ll be pronounced partners in marriage, but the ceremony itself will be very small,” he added.
“It’s just for the girls and close family and friends.”
So this won’t be another big Royal Wedding, but its a royal wedding all the same. We wish the best for Ivar Mountbatten and James Coyle.