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Ed Sheeran breaches royal protocol when meeting Prince Charles

Ed Sheeran could not wipe the smile off his face on Thursday when he emerged from the royal palace after receiving his MBE from Prince Charles.

But it seems the singer breached royal protocol during the special moment.

The 26-year-old, who is now considered a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to music and charity, has admitted his "faux pas" after touching Prince Charles.

Ed Sheeran's royal faux pas when he met Prince Charles was touching his arm as he was handed over the MBE. Source: Getty
Ed Sheeran's royal faux pas when he met Prince Charles was touching his arm as he was handed over the MBE. Source: Getty

"[I] shook the prince’s hand and talked to him for a little bit,” the Shape Of You hitmaker said during an interview on the Today show on Friday.

"Apparently, I did a big faux pas, though. I shook his hand and then grabbed it and you’re not meant to do that," he added.

Photographs show Grammy award-winning artist Ed shaking the royal's hand while placing his left hand on Prince Charles' arm.

Prince Charles, who bestowed the honour on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, courteously smiled back at the singer.

The 26-year-old, who is now considered a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to music and charity, has admitted his
The 26-year-old, who is now considered a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to music and charity, has admitted his

Speaking to reporters after the event, Ed said receiving the honour made him think of his late grandfather.

"My grandfather was a massive royalist... He had all the commemorative plates and stuff, and he died on this day four years ago, so it's actually quite a nice full circle thing," he said.

And of course, there was a mention of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming nuptials, with the singer joking he hadn't been asked to perform at their wedding as of yet.

"Yeah, why not?!" he said when reporters asked if he would serenade the couple on their big day if they asked him to.

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