The British Royal family has the longest reigning female monarch in history. But now there’s a new ‘first’ that they can boast.
The Queen’s cousin has opened up about his personal life and has come out as being gay. Lord Ivar Mountbatten made the admission, five years after his divorce from his ex-wife Penny who is also the mother of his three children. Lord Ivar is the first ever member of the Queen’s extended family to come out as gay.
Not only that but he has also announced his relationship with airline cabin services director James Coyle, who he met in Switzerland 18 months ago.
“The love that dare not speak its name”
His ex-wife has reportedly given him her blessings, along with his life-long friend Prince Edward.
The 53-year-old told the Daily Mail he wasn’t 100% comfortable with his sexuality, and said it was hard in the generation he was born into.
“When I was growing up, it was known as “the love that dare not speak its name”, but what’s amazing now is how far we have all come in terms of acceptance,” he said.
“‘Coming out’ is such a funny phrase but it’s what I suppose I did in a rather roundabout way, emerging to a place I’m happy to be.
“I have struggled with my sexuality and in some ways I still do; it has been a real journey to reach this point.”
Lord Ivar said his ex-wife Penny knew about his sexuality before they got married.
“I told her I was bisexual, that my attraction went both ways. She was understanding and I will always be grateful to her.
“Ultimately, Penny did not feel sufficiently loved and she wanted more from a husband than she could get from me. Given my sexuality, I was quite surprised she married me in the first place. It was brave.
“Perhaps she thought she could change me but in the end she realised she couldn’t.”
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