SCARRED DAY'S KNIGHT
Ed Sheeran talks for the first time about his scarred face after Princes Beatrice sliced it open with a sword trying to ‘knight’ James Blunt
The singer could have lost his eye in the right royal gaff
BY LAUREN FRANKLIN, SHOWBIZ REPORTER 1st December 2016, 7:45 am
ED Sheeran has spoken for the first time about the new scar on his face after it was revealed that Princess Beatrice had cut his face with a sword trying to “knight” James Blunt during a party prank.
The singer performed at East Anglia Children’s Hospices gala dinner at the National History Museum on Wednesday night, with the deep scar on his face still evident.
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As Ed Sheeran played a gig in London the scar from Princess Beatrice slicing him was very clear
Speaking at the gig , he said: “It’s nice to be back. I’ve had a whole year off. I went to Japan for about a month and hung out with Japanese people. Got my face cut open, anyone read about that?”
The cut was just below his right eye, and if the princess had lifted her sword any higher, there’s a chance that Ed could have ended up needing a glass one, or an eye patch.
Despite some neat stitching being performed, the scar looks like it could be remaining on poor Ed's face for quite a while.
Ed, 25, was rushed to hospital after Bea, 28, swung the ceremonial blade over her shoulder without realising he was behind her.
One source told The Sun On Sunday: “He could’ve been blinded.’’
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A source said the singer could have been blinded
The royal had grabbed a sword after soldier-turned-singer James Blunt, 42, joked that he would love to become a Sir.
But as she said “arise Sir James”, she is believed to have misjudged the weight of the blade and had no idea Ed Sheeran was standing right behind her.
Singer-songwriter Ed, at the party with girlfriend Cherry Seaborn, was taken to hospital for treatment to a gash under his eye.
Beatrice was said to be “inconsolable”.
WENN
Princess Beatrice was devastated when she accidentally cut Ed while trying to "knight" James Blunt
Ed, whose hits include Bloodstream, later returned to the do at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, home to Bea’s dad Prince Andrew.
Andrew was away on business but Bea’s mum Sarah Ferguson, who has staged mock knighthood ceremonies in the past, was at the do earlier this month.
Pictures of Ed’s injury were posted online, leading fans to speculate over the cause.
Our source revealed: “Ed had been invited to dinner as a guest of Princess Beatrice.
“They all sat down and there were 20 or so guests, including Sarah Ferguson, James Blunt and his wife Sofia Wellesley.
“Prince Andrew was in Mexico on a trade mission.
“As the night wore on they started talking about honours and apparently James Blunt joked that he would love a knighthood.
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Ed was spotted with this scar on his face before the truth about what had happened emerged
“Beatrice jokingly said she could arrange it and fetched a ceremonial sword.
“Everyone was having a great laugh and the joke was very much in keeping with the tone of the whole party.
“James played along with the prank and got down on one knee as he would if he were at Buckingham Palace being honoured by The Queen.
“Beatrice, who was in great form, held the sword above him and said ‘arise Sir James’, just like her nan would at the Palace.
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“But she must have misjudged the weight or something and, instead of lightly tapping him on the shoulder, she swung it back, not knowing Ed was standing right behind her.
The blade cut into his face and it was just a few inches from his right eye.
“A couple of the guests said it could have been worse and he could have been blinded in the eye but Ed really played it down.
“Everyone was totally shocked and apparently Beatrice was very upset.
“But Ed was the perfect gentleman and told her it was just an accident.
“However it became apparent that the wound needed treatment so Ed was taken to hospital. He had to have stitches put in.”