First gay royal wedding pictures: Queen’s cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten weds James Coyle
Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten has shared photos from his wedding to airline cabin manager James Coyle—the first-ever gay royal wedding—and thanked his three daughters for their support.
Mountbatten, who wed Coyle in a low-key ceremony on Saturday, is the first known member of the queen’s extended family to enter a same-sex marriage, though he is not regarded as an official member of the royal family.
The lord, 55, was previously married to a woman but opened up about his sexuality in 2016 after a decades-long struggle.
The service was carried out by Devon County Council’s registration service manager Trish Harrogate and music was provided by gospel choir group Elysian Music UK.
“Well we did it finally! It was an amazing day despite the miserable British weather,” Mountbatten wrote on Instagram on Monday (September 25), uploading a photo of the couple.
“Fabulous service conducted by Trish Harrogate, chief Registrar for Devon, who set the perfect but lighthearted tone for what is a serious occasion.
“The accompanying gospel choir were amazing. Thank you so much to Bristol’s Teachers Rock Choir for your superb singing.”
He continued: “Most importantly a massive thanks to my 3 gorgeous girls for being so understanding and supportive, without their support this could never have happened! And finally the biggest thank you to James for being just perfect.”
Mountbatten shared photos from his big day on Instagram. (Ivar_mountbatten/Instagram)
Mountbatten came out as gay and revealed he was in a relationship with Coyle in September 2016.
In a touching move, Mountbatten was given away at his wedding by ex-wife Penelope Thompson, with whom he has three children—Ella, Alix, and Luli.
Mountbatten also posted a photo of his dog, Rosie, wearing Pride sunglasses and a rainbow-themed neck collar, writing: “Rosie is exhausted from participating in the marriage ceremony, not to mention hoovering up all the scraps falling from the party tables!”
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, sent congratulations to the happy couple. (Victoria Jones/Getty Images)
Contrary to the pomp and ceremony of Princess Eugenie’s upcoming wedding, the Daily Mail reports that Mountbatten tied the knot in a ceremony attended by just 60 guests in the private chapel at Bridwell Park, his family home.
Mountbatten and Coyle wore matching velvet smoking jackets as they exchanged their vows and rings, proudly declaring their love for each other.
Though Princess Margaret and Prince Edward attended his wedding to Thompson in 1994, no members of the royal family were present to witness Mountbatten’s second wedding.
The Mail reports that Prince Edward, the queen’s youngest son, sent congratulations ahead of the ceremony, but he and wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were unable to attend due to a diary clash.
No members of the core Royal Family were present (Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty)
Mountbatten told the Mail: “Their diaries are arranged months in advance and they were not free, but they adore James.”
The pair plan to honeymoon in Greece or Croatia, though they are yet to book the getaway.
Mountbatten added of their decision to marry: “Now that marriage between a man and a man is legal it seems the right thing to do.
“I have had the whole marriage thing—and been very happy— but James hasn’t, so I see it as a validation of my love for him.”
“Simply talking about it in public is a huge step for me. Up to this point, I have had a heterosexual lifestyle, so living with a man is really new. One step at a time.”
