Prince William gives MBE to Ellie Goulding at Windsor Castle

JAKARTA - Prince William met Ellie Goulding again in an official ceremony at Windsor Castle. This time it was not on the stage of the royal wedding party, but in an English royal award ceremony.

Quoting People, Friday, May 15, the Prince of Wales presented Goulding with the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire or MBE medal on May 13.

The 39-year-old singer received the award for her work in environmental conservation, especially biodiversity and climate issues. Goulding's name was previously included in King Charles' 2026 New Year Honours List.

For the British royal family, Goulding is not a stranger. Fifteen years ago, he performed at the wedding reception of William and Kate Middleton at Buckingham Palace.

At the time, Goulding performed Elton John's Your Song with an accompanying band for the royal couple's first dance.

"William and Kate were in the middle of the room and really enjoying the party," a guest told People in 2011.

The singer of Love Me Like You Do is also known to be close to William's cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

In addition to being known in the pop music world, Goulding is active in environmental campaigns. He became the UN Environment Program's Honorary Ambassador and also the World Wildlife Fund or WWF ambassador.

William himself has been quite vocal on environmental issues. In 2020, he founded the Earthshot Prize, a global award that encourages innovative solutions to the world's environmental problems.

The relationship between the two on the issue is also not new. In 2022, Goulding appeared at the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Boston and had a warm conversation with William and Kate backstage.

Investiture ceremonies like this are held to honor figures who are considered to have made a major contribution to Britain and its overseas territories. Awards are announced twice a year by the British Cabinet Office.

In addition to King Charles, members of the royal family who regularly lead this kind of event are Princess Anne and Prince William.

After the event, Goulding shared a photo of herself smiling while holding an MBE medal in the Windsor Castle area via Instagram Stories.

"A really cool day," he wrote.