Royal wedding singer? Ed Sheeran available if Harry and Meghan are interested

His number one hit Thinking Out Loud is said to be one of the most popular first dance wedding songs of recent years.

So Ed Sheeran is understandably a favourite to perform live when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot next year.

The platinum-selling singer-songwriter now also has the Royal seal of approval, after receiving an MBE for services to music and charity.

After picking up his award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace, he fuelled speculation about his role in providing the entertainment at the upcoming nuptials.

He told Sky’s Rhiannon Mills that he had not been asked – but replied saying "why not?" when asked if he would like to perform.

Sheeran, 26, is the most-streamed artist on Spotify for 2017. Since his debut single The A Team was released in 2011, he has gone on to achieve three multiplatinum-selling albums, number ones across the world and numerous awards and nominations.

As well as his music, he has also supported a range of organisations, including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, acting as an ambassador for the charity for more than six years.

Graham Butland, the charity’s chief executive, said the singer’s support had made a "massive difference" in raising awareness and that they were "thrilled to see him pick up an MBE for not only his services to music but also to charity".

Sheeran said he would celebrate the award with a curry with his parents John and Imogen, and would be thinking of his grandfather, Bill, who died in 2013.

He said "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. I guess he’d be pretty proud."

(c) Sky News 2017: Royal wedding singer? Ed Sheeran available if Harry and Meghan are interested