Lord Ivar Mountbatten


Lord Ivar Alexander Michael Mountbatten, DL is a British aristocrat, farmer and geologist. He is a third cousin, once removed of Queen Elizabeth II and a first cousin, once removed of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Although he is not a member of the British royal family proper, he is the first member of the British monarch's extended family openly in a same-sex relationship, and upon marrying his partner James Coyle in 2018 was the first to have a same-sex wedding.

Early life and family

Mountbatten was born in London, to David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven, and the former Janet Mercedes Bryce. His elder brother is George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven. Queen Victoria was his great-great-great grandmother, and he is a descendant of Alexander Pushkin. He is also a second cousin of Prince Charles through both of their fathers. His paternal grandfather was Prince George of Battenberg, through whom he is a descendant of the House of Hesse-Darmstadt.
Mountbatten was educated at Gordonstoun School, the same school attended by Prince Philip and Prince Charles, and he graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a BA degree.

Personal life

Mountbatten married Penelope Anne Vere Thompson, only daughter of Colin Graham Thompson of Old Manor House, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, and wife Rosemary Vere Edwardes. The ceremony took place on 23 April 1994 at the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Clare, Suffolk. They have three daughters:
The couple separated in September 2010 and divorced amicably in November 2011. In 2015, he converted their former home, Bridwell Park, into an exclusive-use venue for weddings, corporate functions, and business events.
In September 2016, Mountbatten revealed that he was in a relationship with James Coyle, an airline cabin services director whom he met while at a ski resort in Verbier. On 22 September 2018 they were married in a private ceremony on Mountbatten's estate of Bridwell Park. Mountbatten's former wife walked him down the aisle and 'gave him away' at the suggestion of their children.
Mountbatten is one of the godfathers of Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie.