Ed Sheeran receives MBE in Queen's Birthday honour

Pop sensation Ed Sheeran is now a Member of British Empire (MBE).

After being recognised in the Queen's annual Birthday Honours List for services to charity and music, the 26-year-old singer shared the happy news on Instagram and wrote, "Chuffed to be awarded an MBE for services to charity and music, thanks for all your lovely messages x."

The announcement comes a week before one of the star's biggest gigs to date, performing at the UK Glastonbury festival to more than 100,000 people.

Sheeran's latest album 'Divide' became the fastest-selling by a male artist in history upon its release in March, debuting at No.1 in the UK Albums Chart and shifting 672,000 units in its first week.

Other culture stars to be honoured in this year's awards include Billy Connolly, who has been given a knighthood, and the 'Star Wars' and 'Black Mirror' actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 34, who has been awarded an MBE.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney and 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling also received Companions of Honour in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Actress Olivia de Havilland, who starred in 'Gone With The Wind,' has become the oldest recipient of a damehood at the age of 100.