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LGBTQ nobility and royalty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Throughout history, members of royal and noble houses have engaged in same-sex relationships. However, even in jurisdictions where homosexuality was not prohibited or proscribed by law or religious edicts, titles of aristocracy were almost always directly transferred through married spouses of the opposite sex and their offspring (except when certain titles could be inherited by relatives upon a childless death). Nevertheless, queer relationships occurred before, during, and outside such arrangements, as romance and marriage have widely historically been seen as two very different things.[1]

It is important to note that the terms 'homosexuality' and 'heterosexuality' did not exist until the late 19th century.[2] For much of human history, most societies around the world did not view sexuality in modern binary terms. Indeed, many of these cultures had variously tolerated, acknowledged, accepted, or celebrated diverse sexualities and genders at different moments in their history.[3][4]

The scope of this list is limited to sovereign rulers and aristocracy who have titles that were recognized during their lives. This list excludes baronets from the United Kingdom, the landed gentry, imposters, and pretenders, and the equivalent in other countries.

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History

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Ancient and medieval times

Imperial China

Main article: LGBT history in China

Several Chinese emperors had openly homosexual relationships. A famous example is that of Emperor Ai of Han and his lover, Dong Xian, whom Ai promoted quickly through government ranks and ennobled as a marquess (this despite the fact that both men were legally married to women).

Throughout written Chinese history, the role of women is given little positive emphasis, with relationships between women being especially rare. One mention by Ying Shao, who lived about 140 to 206, does relate palace women attaching themselves as husband and wife, a relationship called dui shi. He noted, "They are intensely jealous of each other."[5]: 174 

Ancient Rome

Main article: Homosexuality in ancient Rome

A number of Roman rulers had homosexual relationships, including the Emperor Hadrian and his lover Antinous, and the Emperor Elagabalus and his lovers Aurelius Zoticus and Hierocles.

Europe

Main article: LGBT rights in Europe

In many European countries, same-sex relations have historically been stigmatized, illegal, or considered sinful by Christians. Sometimes charges of homosexual relations were propagated by enemies, often rumors of such activities were denied, and sometimes same-sex lovers were acknowledged openly.

In the United Kingdom, despite the legalization of civil partnerships for same-sex couples in 2004 and marriage for same-sex couples in 2013, spouses of ennobled civil partners have not been allowed the extension of title and privilege from their spouses' ennoblements as those accorded to married opposite-sex spouses of ennobled persons. In July 2012, Conservative MP Oliver Colvile announced a private member's bill, titled "Honours (Equality of Titles for Partners) Bill 2012-13", to amend the honours system to both allow husbands of those made dames and for civil partners of recipients to receive honours by their relationship statuses.[6] Another bill, the Equality (Titles) Bill, which would allow for both female first-born descendants to inherit hereditary titles as well as for "husbands and civil partners" of honours recipients "to use equivalent honorary titles to those available to wives", was introduced by Lord Lucas in the House of Lords on 13 May 2013, but did not progress past Committee stage.[7]

On 7 March 2008 Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 21st Duchess of Medina Sidonia, a Spanish aristocrat, married Liliana Maria Dahlmann in a civil ceremony on her deathbed.[8] Today, the Dowager Duchess is Liliana Maria.[9][10]

In 2016, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, a cousin of the then-reigning Queen Elizabeth II, became the first member of the British aristocracy to come out as gay. He married his partner in 2018.[11]

In June 2025, Maud Angelica Behn, the eldest granddaughter of King Harald V of Norway, came out as bisexual through an Instagram post with images from Oslo Pride celebrations.[12]

South and Southeast Asia

A significant event in LGBT aristocracy occurred in 2006, when Manvendra Singh Gohil, a prince of the former princely state of Rajpipla in Gujarat, India, came out as gay to Indian media; the event caused controversy both in India and abroad, and his family unsuccessfully attempted to disinherit him.

Prince Azim of Brunei was outed in 2019, the year before his death.[13][14]

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List

Arabia

Austria

Aztec Empire

Britain & Ireland

Brunei

Bulgaria

China

Denmark

Egypt

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

India

Iran

Italy

Japan

Korea

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Thailand

Uganda

Vatican

See also: List of sexually active popes § Relationships with men

Vietnam

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References

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