The imminent series of The Traitors US is primed to showcase a Royal contestant for the first time as Lord Ivar Mountbatten officially joins its acclaimed ensemble. The 61-year-old aristocrat boasts several ties to the monarchy, including a second cousin relationship with King Charles.
Lord Ivar’s royal connections extend beyond just King Charles. He is closely connected with Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh who serve as godparents to his daughters. In reciprocation, Ivar is the proud godfather to their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor.
Mountbatten made headlines in 2016 after he came out as gay, subsequently becoming the first member of the Royal family to partake in a same-sex marriage with his partner James Coyle in 2018.
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Before his coming out, Ivar was married to Penelope Anne Vere Thompson for nearly two decades. Despite their divorce in 2011, the couple maintained a tight-knit friendship, such that Penelope escorted him down the aisle at his wedding to James.
Mountbatten considered the late Prince Philip a father figure following the demise of his own father in April 1970. He has previously expressed his gratitude for the support rendered by the deceased Duke of Edinburgh post his father’s death, as reported by the Mirror.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Lord Ivar recounted: “At 49, Prince Philip, along with Uncle Dickie, shouldered responsibility and comforted my mother, who’d become a widow at just 31. She was immensely grateful to the Duke for watching over her and serving a father-like figure to us, her two sons.”
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He further shared his personal experiences with Prince Philip, saying: “In later years, I would seek him out to learn more about my father. It was wonderful to have someone who could tell me everything about him.”
Additionally, he voiced his admiration for the Duke’s character: “Prince Philip was a remarkable listener—you could share anything with him as long as it was honest and straightforward. If he felt you needed advice, he wouldn’t hesitate to offer it.”
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Lord Ivar is among the 21 celebrities set to star in The Traitors US, the American version of the hit BBC series recorded at Ardross Castle, just about 25 miles north of Inverness. In contrast to its UK counterpart hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the US edition will be steered by Alan Cumming and will spotlight celebrities instead of the general public.
The forthcoming series comprises a stellar lineup featuring Sam Asghari, famous for his marriage to Britney Spears, Dylan Efron—brother of actor Zac Efron, personalities from four different Real Housewives franchises, Ru Paul’s Drag Race luminary Bob the Drag Queen, Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval, and three ex-Survivor competitors, among others.
