Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, comes out as a gay man, reveals the man who let him love again

In a world that is known for its strict upbringing and traditional ways, one man has broken protocol in order to be openly happy. Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, has opened up about his sexuality over the weekend.

Now 53 years old and a divorced father-of-three, Ivar talked to Mail Online last Sunday to discuss just how coming out to his family was. Fortunately, he has the support of his immediate and extended family.

“Being a Mountbatten was never the problem,” he explained. “It was the generation into which I was born. 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 admitted that coming to terms with his sexuality was, and continues to be, a struggle. Not only was his generation less forgiving, but his family is one of the most known and talked about in the world. Ivar is the first member of the extended Royal family to come out as gay.

Ivar’s boyfriend, James Coyle, is an airline cabin services director. The two met in a Swiss resort, Verbier, in March 2015. James shouted out a simple hello at the bar when he mistook Ivar for his guide. While the attraction was almost instant and undeniable, James was not the first man that captured Ivar’s attention.

“I never thought I would get married because I didn't want to be untruthful. Penny (his ex-wife) was aware before we 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. We had a lot of fun, we have three fabulous daughters and I don't regret any stage of my life.”

Ivar married Penelope Anne Vere Thompson in 1994, and they divorced in 2011. Their daughters are Ella Louise Georgina Mountbatten (20), Alexandra Nada Victoria Mountbatten (18) and Louise Xenia Rose Mountbatten (14). He is the great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria the great-nephew of Earl Mountbatten of Burma and cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.