Not many people can claim to have a bona fide royal battle scar in this day and age so Ed Sheeran should really count himself lucky.

Well, luckier, seeing as Princess Beatrice very nearly blinded/killed him, if reports are to be believed.

Last night, Ed Sheeran made his first public appearance since having his face sliced open as he attended a charity dinner for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) at the Natural History Museum in London.

"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?" he jokingly told the audience between songs.

Sheeran's been on break from social media this year but that hasn't stopped fans sharing photos and videos of his appearances. 

At least he has a sense of humour about it.