It was an intimate celebration for U2 lead singer Bono, who celebrated his 48th birthday over the weekend with a couple of his closest friends – including celeb pal Brad Pitt (minus his pregnant girlfriend, Angelina Jolie).

The Hollywood star, who recently relocated to France with his family, helped usher in Bono’s latest celebration at Sass Café in Monaco on Friday 9 May, where the “One” singer blew out the candles alongside his wife, Ali Hewson, bandmate The Edge, and a member of royalty – Prince Albert.

“It was really quite a surprise,” says the café’s maitre de of the 10pm dining party.

“It wasn’t organised in advance. We only got called on it that afternoon.”

Sources close to the U2 camp have revealed that Bono and Brad have become close friends, with the families now living a mere 15 minutes away from each other.