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The Queen's cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten marries his new husband - after being given away by his ex-wife & Princess Anastasija attended

For many a couple it is a long and winding road to the altar. 

For Lord Ivar Mountbatten, a divorced father of three, the path to matrimonial happiness has meant navigating all manner of obstacles that would test the strongest of relationships.

But yesterday, almost exactly two years after coming out as gay, the younger son of the 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven, and cousin of the Queen, was marking the first day of his new life — married to a man.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Lord Ivar and his new love James Coyle exchanged rings and vows in front of 60 family and friends including his three proud daughters. 

And the wife he divorced? Why, she gave him away.

Never before, surely, has there been a wedding quite like it — the first ever same-sex marriage in the extended Royal Family.

A gospel choir serenaded them, and the toasts from their two best men saw guests raising flutes of Pol Roger, Churchill’s favourite champagne.

Princess Anastasija was among those present at the grandest of ceremonies.

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"You're adorable." Harry said as we took a walk around Kensington.

"You're a dork." I said.

"A hot dork." He said.

"Not even close." I said.

"How are you feeling these days about being back in the royal spotlight?" He asked.

"I feel like I'm trapped. I know I will never escape it but still I didn't think I would be back in it full force." I answered.

"Don't worry, Stasija. Everything will be fine. At some point you will need to stop running and accept the life you were born into. I know it's not want you but you have to realize you have the power to make it what you want." He said.

"You know the he hardest battle you will ever have to fight is between who you are now and who you want to be." I said.

"Anastasija, You can run away from yourself so often, and so much, just because the broken pieces of you cut your feet too deeply if you stay around for too long. But then what if someone were to come along and pick up those pieces for you? Then you wouldn't have to run away from yourself anymore. You could stop running. If someone sees you as something worth staying with— maybe you'll stay with yourself, too." He said.

"I don't think that will ever happen, Harry." I said.

"But what if that person is standing right in front of you?" He asked.

"It still won't happen." I responded.

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When Anastasija finally arrived in the dining hall, the breakfast was already in full swing. Around twenty people had to be there; Anastasija spotted Harry first. He was sitting next to William, both of them howling with laughter at something that was probably either dirty or very stupid. Or both.

“Anastasija,” The Queen called out when she entered the room and walked towards the empty spot next to Beatrice. “I thought you were not going to make it.” She said.

Everyone at the breakfast table turned around to look at her causing her to blush.

“Forgive me,” Anastasija answered. “I went to bed too late last night.” She said.

“Not exactly a good habit for a woman like yourself." The Queen.

"A habit that will be broken soon." Anastasija said taking a seat at the table.

Without even wanting too, Harry looked over to Anastasija. She sat next to Beatrice, and she looked tired and a little flushed. From both sides, people were talking to her. She just stared straight ahead.

He turned back to his conversation with William. She wasn't eating, why wasn't she eating? Did I really keep her out too late?

Gods. Here he was, thinking about her again. He really had to stop. Harry forced himself to listen to some story Kate was telling and tried to shove Anastasija out of his damned thoughts.

But he could not help it- his gaze always slid back to her.

Charles watched as his son, Harry kept gazing at Anastasija who was doing the same. Did they really think that no one would notice?

He shook his head. They needed to figure out their relationship soon before they both end up hurt.

"Genie, are you excited to get married tomorrow?" Anne asked.

"Yes, I'm ready. I had my final dress fitting and I can't wait for everyone to see. Once again, Thank you, Anastasija." Eugenie said.

"Genie, no need to thank me. It was an honour to make your wedding dress." Anastasija said smiling.

"Anastasija, you have magical hands maybe one day you'll be designing your own wedding dress." Beatrice said.

"Yeah, one day in another lifetime." Anastasija said.