Awkward! Simon Cowell cuts a weary figure as he shares uncomfortable reunion with Leona Lewis after she left his record label

By Becky Freeth for MailOnline and Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent

Published: 19:35 EST, 2 February 2016 | Updated: 03:53 EST, 3 February 2016

They've put their record label feud behind them, yet Simon Cowell's reunion with Leona Lewis seemed a little awkward on Tuesday night.

Sharing the red carpet at the British Asian Trust Annual Dinner at the Natural History Museum in London, the duo also shared an uncomfortable hand shake, kiss and a laugh over their history.

Simon, 56, who was looking a little more weary than usual, parted ways with Leona in the professional world last June, almost a decade since she was chosen as the X Factor winner.

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Weary: Simon Cowell wasn't his usual self when he arrived for the British Asian Trust Annual Dinner at the Natural History Museum in London on Tuesday night

Weary: Simon Cowell wasn't his usual self when he arrived for the British Asian Trust Annual Dinner at the Natural History Museum in London on Tuesday night

There was said to have been a rift between the pair, which prompted her exit from his record label Syco on the basis of artistic differences.

Leona seemed to have swallowed some of her anger on the night nonetheless, pecking her counterpart on the cheek with a wide smile.

Bleeding Love singer Leona, who won Cowell's ITV singing competition in 2006, was there to perform on the night and looked exquisite in a sweeping black lace dress. 

Leona previously said that the record label had grown too big for her in the years after she signed, meaning that her 'intimate' working relationship with the Syco boss was more strained. 

See more Simon Cowell updates as he shares uncomfortable reunion with Leona Lewis

Awkward! He suffered an awkward run-in with ex-record label star Leona Lewis on the night

Awkward! He suffered an awkward run-in with ex-record label star Leona Lewis on the night

Giddy: The pair shared a kiss and a hand shake, but also a laugh

Giddy: The pair shared a kiss and a hand shake, but also a laugh

All smiles: They seemed to have let bygones be bygones on the record label front

All smiles: They seemed to have let bygones be bygones on the record label front

Artistic differences: Leona left Syco in June 2015, saying their relationship had soured

Artistic differences: Leona left Syco in June 2015, saying their relationship had soured

Sour: At the time, he maintained that he had a soft spot for Leona and always left the door open for her

Sour: At the time, he maintained that he had a soft spot for Leona and always left the door open for her

But Simon later dismissed any bad blood saying that he had a 'real soft spot for Leona' and explained that the door had been left open for the star, who subsequently signed to Island Records.

The 'talented' musician, who he said could always have a hit with the right song, was just one of the high profile guests that Simon was rubbing shoulders with on Tuesday night.

He was of course joined by the royals, Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, who he shared a jovial exchange with at the entrance.

On the red carpet, Simon talked about a new partnership between The British Asian Trust and the Department for International Development.

Royal appointment: The stars were joined by Prince Charles (centre, right) and Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall (centre, left) on the night

Royal appointment: The stars were joined by Prince Charles (centre, right) and Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall (centre, left) on the night

Giddy: Charles proved that Simon could crack a funny joke as they laughed at the entrance

Giddy: Charles proved that Simon could crack a funny joke as they laughed at the entrance

Firm shake: Charles gave the music mogul a firm hand shake, no doubt having met before

Firm shake: Charles gave the music mogul a firm hand shake, no doubt having met before

Witty one: Simon smiled as the royal kept conversation at the red carpet arrivals

Witty one: Simon smiled as the royal kept conversation at the red carpet arrivals

Laugh a minute: Simon talked about a new partnership between The British Asian Trust and the Department for International Development

Laugh a minute: Simon talked about a new partnership between The British Asian Trust and the Department for International Development

Serious stuff: He enthused about the charity, describing its work as remarkable

Serious stuff: He enthused about the charity, describing its work as remarkable

Calling the idea 'inspired' the music mogul explained how the latter had agreed to match pound for pound any money raised for the charity's new project working with vulnerable women in Pakistan. 

He enthused about the charity, describing its work as remarkable and telling MailOnline: 'I got involved through a fantastic guy who works for me. 

'Came to the event last year, thoroughly enjoyed it and have since got to learn more about the cause and the region. The work they are doing to help the communities out there is remarkable.'

Simon has, himself, had a hard few days in the business world, revealing that the Syco offices have suffered around £100k worth of damage in a freak flooding accident.

Still friends: Simon also proved that he'd kept up his close bond with ex-X Factor star Louis Walsh

Still friends: Simon also proved that he'd kept up his close bond with ex-X Factor star Louis Walsh

Hard week: This week, Syco suffered £100k worth of damage in a flash flood at the offices

Hard week: This week, Syco suffered £100k worth of damage in a flash flood at the offices

Unfortunate: Simon was also forced to let Ben Haenow go from his record label last week

Unfortunate: Simon was also forced to let Ben Haenow go from his record label last week

It has caused major set backs to his schedule for the forthcoming series of Britain's Got Talent, which is currently in the auditions stage with co-stars Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon. 

Simon was also unfortunately forced to axe X Factor 2014 winner Ben Haenow from his label last week and the previous month suffered the embarrassment of being able to call Louisa Johnson the only winner whose winning song did not reach number one.

On a positive note, Simon couldn't help but gush about his one-year-old son Eric on Tuesday night, with whom he's just spent the last month in Barbados. 

Reunited: Simon and Louis proved that being reunited feels so good

Reunited: Simon and Louis proved that being reunited feels so good

All smiles: He was top to toe in his favourite white shirt and black trouser combination

All smiles: He was top to toe in his favourite white shirt and black trouser combination

Eric, the mogul's only son by girlfriend Lauren Silverman, is 'swimming like a fish and an Olympic contender already,' he told MailOnline.

'We've just had a lovely holiday together, we enjoyed it - and the dogs had a great time,' he said of Squiddly and Diddly.

'He [Eric] is swimming and he's not even two. He is swimming the length of the pool, can you believe it? I got him into it early. 

'Because of the houses we've got there are a lot of water features, so if he ever falls in, God forbid, I've got to teach him not to panic. And now he's going to be an Olympic champion. It's such good fun.' 

Cute twosome: The pair are supporters of The British Asian Trust

Cute twosome: The pair are supporters of The British Asian Trust

 

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