From the Advocated: Lord Ivar Mountbatten [Above: left] will marry his partner James Coyle this summer. In doing so, Mountbatten, the third cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth, will become the first member of the extended British royal family to enter into a same-sex marriage. {Note: Had not the Royal family changed its name to Windsor, supported by Parliament, during World War I, they would now be called the Mountbattens after the Queen's husband's last name.]

In a family interview with Daily Mail, Coyle, 56, called their union "a very modern marriage" and "there was no proposal, just an acceptance of this great love."

Mountbatten, 55, was previously married to Penelope Thompson. The pair divorced in 2011 after having three children. He came out in 2016. In a modern twist, Thompson will give away her ex-husband at the ceremony, which will take place in a private chapel at Mountbatten's estate in Devon. The idea came from their daughters.

"It makes me feel quite emotional. I'm really very touched," said Thompson, who observed that her husband has never looked happier since coming out.

Mountbatten said that, while he previously thought he would not marry again, he "really wanted to do it for James. James hasn't had the stable life I have. I want to give him that." [James had been an airline steward.]

"I never thought this would happen. It's brilliant, but I never thought I'd marry a man," Mountbatten said. (To read the complete article, Click Here.)