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Ed Sheeran has shared the story behind the moment he first met the Queen in 2012 – as well as giving an insight into how the Royal family had inspired him to pick up his guitar in the first place. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the “Shape of You” singer was asked about a photo of when he met Her Majesty. He explained how while she might appear to be very pleased to see him, this was actually thanks to a comedian who was also present – and sadly, not necessarily her love of Mr Sheeran’s music. He explained that at the time, it was in the “really, really early stages” of his career.
He added that he had released “like, one hit single” – likely referring to “The A Team”, which he was playing that year at the Diamond Jubilee. The Queen’s smile in the photo, however, was not for Ed, but for a “really famous comedian” next to him.
He said: “I was next to a really famous comedian who cracked a joke while she was shaking my hand. So I’ve got this picture of her like delighted to see me.”
Mr Sheeran recalled that the monarch actually had no reaction to being introduced to him, but started laughing at the comedian just as the shot was taken. However, playing the Jubilee was an important moment for the singer regardless of the Queens’ reaction to him, as Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 had led to the start of his entire musical career.
He said: “It was in 2002, I was 11 years old and I didn’t play the guitar at that time. I was watching this thing on television. Eric Clapton comes on and does the first opening bit of ‘Layla.’ I’m like, ‘What is that?’ And he finishes the song and I knew in that instant, I was like, I want to be that.
“I want to have a guitar and I want to sing on stage.”
He concluded: “And 10 years later, I’m playing the same thing, and I just played the one 10 years on from that as well. It’s bonkers.”
Sharing the story on Instagram, the Grammy award winner added: “Life is weird how it keeps coming full circle in lovely ways.”
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The Queen guitarist added: “After the show, I went on YouTube and saw it and went ‘Beautiful!’ I loved it, so cool!”
Her Majesty’s reign has seen a number of stars rise to the top, and one that she met several times was Judy Garland, who sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for Elizabeth and husband Philip. They were snapped meeting at the event, and would go on to meet several more times over the years.
In 1972, the Queen was photographed at a London gala shaking hands with Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli, who performed for her at the London Palladium.
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