Finally, There’s Going to Be a Gay Royal Wedding

Move over, Harry and Meghan—there’s another royal wedding happening this summer and it’s going to be gay. No, seriously.

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, will become the first gay royal family member to marry his partner, making summer 2018 a historic summer in diversifying the monarchy—last month, Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, becoming the first mixed-race member of the pack. Now, the monarchy is throwing down for the first ever gay royal wedding.

The royal family member is set to marry his partner James Coyle in a small summer ceremony. James told The Daily Mail that just a few friends and family will attend the wedding, with about 120 people joining afterward for the reception.

Ivar was previously married to a woman named Penny and has three daughters with her. She will give her ex-husband away at the wedding, according to The Daily Mail. “It was the girls’ idea,” she gushed. “It makes me feel quite emotional. I’m really very touched.”

Mountbatten is the great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria, and the infamous late Princess Margaret attended his first wedding. He came out in 2016 when he announced his relationship with James, making him the first member of the royal family to come out as gay.

The queen’s cousin said the family has given them their blessing, though the Queen, her son Edward, and Edward’s wife Sophie won’t be in attendance, despite their close friendship with Ivar. But luckily, Sophie and Edward have grown fond of James. “Sophie and Edward know of our plans and are really excited for us,” Ivar told The Daily Mail. “Sadly they can’t come to the wedding. Their diaries are arranged months in advance and they’re not around, but they adore James. Everyone adores him.”

The couple is very much in love, and Ivar wants to give his partner a day to remember. “For me, what’s interesting is I don’t need to get married because I’ve been there, done that and have my wonderful children, but I’m pushing it because I think it’s important for him,” he revealed, adding, “James hasn’t had the stable life I have,” Ivar said, turning to his partner. “I want to be able to give you that.”