Sheeran dad reveals private Mona Lisa viewing

The singer-songwriter was able to take his family on a visit to the Louvre after performing in a charity concert

The father of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran revealed the musician treated his parents and wife to a three-hour private visit to the Louvre after a charity concert.

Retired art curator John Sheeran said he believed the visit in 2021 was his son's "way of saying thank you to us", describing it as an "unforgettable experience".

Sheeran had earlier performed in front of the Eiffel Tower as part of Global Citizen Live, which aimed to raise awareness of poverty, climate change and the need for coronavirus vaccines worldwide.

Mr Sheeran said the viewing was "the only time I've been able to study the Mona Lisa without the crowds".

Suffolk pop star Sheeran played the concert alongside Elton John, the Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy.

His father, speaking in an interview to promote a fundraising event for Ipswich Art Society's Young Artists' Fund, said he and his wife Imogen travelled to Paris.

"Imogen and I went to Paris to see Edward perform at the Global Citizen gig in front of the Eiffel Tower, which was extraordinary enough," he said.

"He then surprised us on Sunday evening by taking us with his wife Cherry to the Louvre.

"I think it was his way of saying thank you to us."

'Full-circle moment'

Mr Sheeran said he and his wife had a similar moment with their composer son, Matthew, Ed's elder brother, at Westminster Abbey.

"We sat next to him listening to the full choir singing an anthem composed by him," he said.

"It was commissioned for a service of celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Arts Society.

"Matthew was inspired to write the choral piece by an early Italian Renaissance painting which he'd seen at the Courtauld Galleries in London.

"It was a true full-circle moment."

Mr Sheeran will be giving a talk as part of an event to mark the 150th anniversary of the Ipswich Arts Society, in aid of the Young Artists' Fund, on Thursday 28 March.