He’s rubbed shoulders with the royals many times…

Ed Sheeran has had a special connection to Princess Kate Middleton and the royal family for some time, and it is a little known fact most fans forget about.

Not only has he performed at the Earthshot Prize ceremony and the Royal Variety Performance, but he is connected to the Princess of Wales through an important charity as well.

The British star has met the royals on many occasions, and even put his name up for doing a private gig for the Wales family. We take a look at Ed Sheeran’s link with Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William, and how one performance of the star singing was truly heartbreaking.
The singer even gave the couple suggested baby names for Prince George (Credit: Cover Images)

Ed Sheeran singing Visiting Hours with Kate Middleton and Prince William watching on

In 2021, Ed Sheeran was seen singing his emotional track, Visiting Hours, with Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William in attendance.

It was during the first-ever Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, hosted at Alexandra Palace in London.

The song, from his album Equals, is an ode to a passed loved one, with the lyrics discussing life-long lessons passed on from a departed friend. In the record, he also thinks about what he would do if he could contact the person the song is dedicated to.

It was particularly poignant as it was just five months after Prince Philip, the former Duke of Edinburgh, had passed away. The royal, who was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II, died at 99 years old in Windsor Castle in April 2021.

Philip, William’s grandfather, had been ill in hospital for a long period of time beforehand for an unrelated condition with his heart. He passed away due to ‘old age’ on April 9. His funeral was televised to the world but the royal family had to follow strict Covid-19 restrictions at the time. One particular photo of the late Queen sitting alone in church at her husband’s funeral service caused tears across the globe.

Ed Sheeran singing his heartbreaking song in front of Kate Middleton and Prince William was a truly poignant moment.

Kate Middleton and Prince William met Ed Sheeran at the Royal Variety Performance (Credit: INFphoto.com)

Ed Sheeran wanted to perform for Kate Middleton and Prince William years before

Celebrities performing for The Firm is no secret. Ellie Goulding was hired for Kate and William’s wedding reception and Idris Alba DJ’d at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptial party as well.

But Ed Sheeran wanted to be picked for his singing talent for Kate Middleton and Prince William’s royal baby christening.

In 2014, the Thinking of You hitmaker said he’d like to throw his hat in the ring for the special day for their daughter, Princess Charlotte.

He told Yahoo at the time: “I would definitely do it if I got asked.”

Sadly, we don’t think he was.

It’s not the first time he’s made a comment in regards to the Wales children. In 2012, he wanted the couple to pick out a “rock ‘n’ roll name” for their bundle of joy.

Ed Sheeran suggested several unusual names while Kate Middleton was expecting, from Twig and Oak Tree to PSY.

He declared: “I just think it’s time for someone in the Royal Family to have a rock ‘n’ roll name for their kids.

“Call it Ziggy or Twig. Call it Twig or Oak Tree or PSY, or even PSYmon!

“This is the time. If ever’s the time to do it, it is now.

“I don’t want there to be another name like Dave. But then Dave would be cool though, wouldn’t it?”

While speaking to the Daily Star, he also admitted in 2012 that he is a big fan of The Firm.

“A lot of people have mixed views on the royal family, but me, I think it’s really cool,” Ed added. “And as for Will and Kate, they’re in love and they’re having a baby, it’s wicked.”

Ed Sheeran and Kate Middleton support the same charity (Credit: INFphoto.com)

All smiles at the Royal Variety performance

Another time Kate Middleton and Prince William saw Ed Sheeran singing was when they watched him perform at the Royal Variety Performance in 2021.

The British hitmaker, along with James Blunt ad Rod Stewart, were among the stars who performed at the annual Royal Variety Charity event.

Filmed the month before in London, the Prince and Princess of Wales were treated to performances by Anne-Marie and Years & Years as well as many more.

The couple joined in for the standing ovation to celebrate the acts, especially as Kate and William are both huge supporters of the arts. The charity event raises money for entertainers throughout the UK, who need help and assistance from illness, old age or hard times.

Kate and Ed support the same charity

But Ed Sheeran and Kate Middleton had a special link years before as well – a little known fact most royal fans likely forgot about.

They’re both supporters of children’s charity East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH). The royal has been a patron of the charity since 2012, whereas Ed acted as an ambassador from 2014.

He had previously showed support for the organisation by donating 21 personal belongings to the charity to be auctioned on their eBay shop to raise funds. In total, more than £7,500 was raised.