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James Blunt showed off his new look as he led the celebrity arrivals attending the christening of Princess Beatrice’s daughter Athena on Friday.
The singer, 51, who has teased his ‘philosophy with plastic surgery is little and often’ when asked about his baby-faced appearance looked as youthful as ever.
James, once known for his dark brown shaggy hair, is now rocking a tidier trim, complete with an auburn tint.
Arriving at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, he wore a smart grey suit, complete with a long jacket and a burgundy striped tie.
Princess Beatrice and her property developer husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have brought close friends and family together to celebrate their second daughter Athena who was born several weeks prematurely in January.
James has long since been friends with the Royal Family through his marriage to Sofia Wellesley, granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington and has known both Prince William and Harry since their teenage years.
The singer seemingly confessed to having cosmetic work done during an appearance on This Morning in October last year.
James was bombarded with questions from fans who phoned in, when one excited viewer rang up the ITV show and asked how he managed to maintain such a smooth complexion at 50 years old.
And the star replied that he used soap every day to wash his face and there was no great secret before dropping in a Botox-themed bombshell.
James told the caller: ‘My philosophy with plastic surgery is little and often.’
The confession stunned the caller, who didn’t know what to say, while hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond seemingly laughed in shock.
This isn’t the first time the singer has been questioned over his skin care.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast in 2022, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty quizzed the singer over plastic surgery.
Charlie first asked the singer after a montage of music videos were played: ‘You appear to be getting younger – can I reflect on that for a moment?’
He added: ‘Looking at that video a moment ago, and looking at you now – what’s going on?’
Taken aback, James said: ‘I think with plastic surgery, little and often is the technique I’d advise.’
As Charlie replied: ‘As you well know, people will think that’s a double bluff,’ a deadpan James responded: ‘It’s not, no.’
After an uncomfortable silence, James added: ‘I just… I don’t know where to go from here.’
For the christening Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also arrived at Clarence House for the event, alongside European royals, including Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark, 38, who is a godmother.
It is understood the King was invited but is not expected to attend – although he has no official engagements listed today – while Princess Anne is unable to go as she is visiting The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Sovereign’s Parade at Camberley, in Berkshire.
Princes George and Louis were also christened in the Chapel Royal, but the Waleses are not expected to be there.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson made a rare return to public life as they arrived for the christening of their granddaughter Athena.
It is thought Athena would have been christened earlier this year, had it not been for the painful scandal engulfing her grandparents. Her sister Sienna, now four, was baptised in 2022 within six months of her birth.
Andrew will not appear in any official photographs from the christening and will avoid cameras outside the chapel.
