James Blunt was among the first celebrity guests to arrive at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, this afternoon for the christening of Princess Beatrice's daughter, Athena.
The christening was notable due to the presence of Princess Beatrice's parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, who emerged publicly for the first time since the King stripped Andrew of his titles.
The decision followed mounting pressure on Buckingham Palace to act over Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein, allegations he has denied.
"It's going to be a royal occasion, but everyone is dreading the thought of seeing Andrew there," a source told the Mail on Sunday.
James Blunt among celebrity guests at Princess Beatrice's daughter's christening
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Relations between Beatrice and her father remain strained, according to royal insiders, though she extended an invitation nonetheless.
"She's worried about him. He's going through a low ebb with his mental health, and she recognises that he dotes on his grandchildren," one source explained. Andrew will not feature in any official photographs from the ceremony.
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi organised today's christening for their second daughter, who arrived several weeks early in January. Her elder sister Sienna, now four, was baptised in 2022.
The singer's connection to the York sisters began when he encountered Princess Eugenie at an Ibiza nightclub in 2009.
James Blunt arriving at the religious ceremony
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This friendship led to invitations to multiple royal celebrations, including Eugenie's 2018 wedding to Jack Brooksbank and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's nuptials that same year.
Mr Blunt attended alongside his wife, Sofia Wellesley, granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington, whose aristocratic connections have further cemented his place within royal circles.
Born into a family with a long soldiering tradition, Mr Blunt attended Harrow School before reading Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering and Sociology at the University of Bristol on an army bursary.
Following graduation from Sandhurst, he joined the Life Guards and eventually attained the rank of Captain.
Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie's husband, arriving at the ceremony
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It was during this period that his path first crossed with Prince Harry, who entered the forces after him.
"He joined a little bit after me, so there was a time when Harry would call me 'Sir', perhaps," Mr Blunt revealed to Jonathan Ross in 2014. "But now, I would call him 'Your Highness.'"
His military service also saw him deployed to Kosovo in 1999, where he famously carried his guitar strapped to the outside of his tank, performing songs for local residents.
Upon returning to Britain, he served with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and stood vigil at the Queen Mother's coffin during her lying-in-state in 2002.
James Blunt pictured with his wife, Sofia Wellesley
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During today's outing, the 51-year-old singer sported a noticeably different look, with his once-dark brown locks now trimmed shorter and auburn.
Dressed in a smart grey suit paired with a burgundy striped tie, Mr Blunt appeared remarkably youthful — something he has previously addressed with characteristic wit.
During a This Morning appearance last October, he told a curious caller: "My philosophy with plastic surgery is little and often."