If you haven't heard of Ed Sheeran, you've probably been living under a rock. The singer-songwriter has produced many hits over the past 13 years. Writing for artists like Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Taylor Swift, Sheeran has proven time and again that he is not just a flash in the pan.
The singer-songwriter has won two Grammy awards, and has been nominated for a total of 12. He's also the most popular artist on Spotify, and has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.
Sheeran is also known for his incredibly giving attitude. He's been known to surprise fans in the hospital when they need it the most, and has done more than just donate money to charities. Sheeran gets personally involved, donating his time to concerts, giving clothing to children's charities, and giving winter clothing to homeless people who need it during the winter.
It's not the first time he's done something like this, either. Before his concert in Ottawa, Canada, a young girl was part of the press scrum (her dad was one of the reporters). She got to ask a question, and she asked what Sheeran's favorite charity is. The singer mentioned the East Anglia Children's Hospice where his mom works. The young girl pulled out a fistful of money from her purse and said, "Here's 25 pounds from my birthday money to donate to that charity."
Sheeran was so blown away by her generosity, he pulled out two hundred dollars Canadian for the girl to give to HER favorite charity.
Because of his efforts, both in music and charity, Sheeran was bestowed with an incredible honor from the royal family.
Sheeran was presented with an MBE, Member of British Excellency, for his services to both the music industry and charity. Sheeran was presented his honor by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
But, as with all his other honors, Sheeran isn't letting success go to his head.
"I think it's persistence," Sheeran explained. "I don't have a vast amount of talent compared to other people. I think talent is like 30% of it and persistence, drive and self belief are the other ones, which I guess are all the same thing."
"My grandfather was a massive royalist," continued Sheeran. "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. I guess he'd be pretty proud."
As for what Prince Charles and Ed Sheeran chatted about, the singer says it was pretty standard.
"He was asking me if I was still selling lots of records and I told him I've got a concert in New York tomorrow, and he was quite surprised I was flying after this."
