Grammy-winning singer Ed Sheeran received an MBE, a British state honour, for services to music and charity from Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The 26-year-old singer whose most popular track is “Shape of You”, was the most-streamed artist on music service Spotify globally in 2017, and his third album “Divide”, topped the US album charts.
He has also used his celebrity status to support several charities, including children’s hospices, anti-poverty campaigns and an AIDS charity.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Sheeran said his late grandfather would have been pleased with his honour.
“My grandfather was a massive royalist,” he told the BBC. “He had all the commemorative plates; he died on this day four years ago, so it’s actually quite a nice full circle thing, I guess he’d be pretty proud.”
Ed shared pictures from the event on his Instagram, including one in which he is shaking hands with the Prince.
A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on Dec 7, 2017 at 6:50am PST
Honoured to be awarded an MBE today at Buckingham Palace x
A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on Dec 7, 2017 at 6:50am PST