Queen's cousin becomes first openly gay royal as he reveals relationship with airline boss
ONE of the Queen’s cousins and a member of the Mountbatten dynasty is in a gay relationship with an airline boss.
The Queen's cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten is the first openly gay royal
Father-of-three Lord Ivar Mountbatten moved his new love James Coyle into his country mansion after splitting with wife Penny.
The 53-year-old is a descendant of Queen Victoria, great nephew of Earl Mountbatten of Burma and godfather to Prince Edward’s girl Princess Louise.
He said he met cabin services director Mr Coyle, 54, on a skiing trip, two years ago.
The couple live in his Georgian mansion at 100-acre Bridwell Park, Devon, and are considering getting married.
Lord Ivar Mountbatten and Chip Bergh, President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co at a party
Lord Ivar’s family are happy with their new relationship and Penny even visits their home and goes to yoga classes with his partner.
He told the Mail on Sunday: “Now everyone in our family knows and could not be more supportive.
Father-of-three Lord Ivar Mountbatten moved in with his new love James Coyle
"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.
“But now it’s out there, anything is possible.”