Love has been in the air all year for Britain’s royal family. This institution has endured for centuries and as such, tons of love stories, scandals, and weddings have been part of its history.

History-making unions are also part of the monarchy as we’ve just seen with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Now, there is another one on the horizon that is totally unlike any this family has witnessed before. For the first time, someone in the royal family is having a same-sex wedding!

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, the Queen’s third cousin once-removed, is marrying his partner James Coyle this summer. He divorced his wife Penny Mountbatten eight years ago with whom he shares three daughters. They were together for sixteen years before splitting, and he met Coyle a couple of years ago.

The happy couple spent time talking to the Daily Mail about their romance with Lord Mounbatten’s ex, Penny, in presence. All three of them are close. Seem strange? It would be for many divorced couples, but Penny explained that her husband came out to her as bisexual two months after they first met.

She knew he was attracted to men when they married, though admits she struggled with it heavily during their time together. It led to her having a drinking problem, but she always wanted him to be happy. That’s why it’s been so easy for her to be supportive of their relationship.

James and Penny hit it off immediately and Lord Ivar was quick to point out that their friends and family have all been very accepting of their love. When speaking of the wedding, he mentioned that close friend Prince Edward (the Queen’s son) and wife are also very happy for them:

“Sophie and Edward know of our plans and are really excited for us. 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.”

In a very candid moment, Lord Ivar shared that he knew since childhood that he was gay, but because of the generation he grew up in, it was something he kept a secret for a very long time. His family and new partner have helped him become more comfortable with being out in the open.

Although it is a royal wedding, don’t expect the lavishness of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ceremony, or even one similar to Princess Eugenie’s upcoming October nuptials. Things will be simpler.

These two plan on having a small ceremony with only family and a close group of friends, and a party after for everyone else. More than likely, they won’t even have a cake. Lord Ivar joked that they will probably have cheese.

So much to celebrate in the royal family with babies, weddings, and birthdays! To hear more about this couple and who will be walking the lord down the aisle, click on the video below.

Are you shocked to hear of this royal wedding first? What do you think of Lord Ivar’s story? Does ex-wife Penny’s reaction surprise you?