David Beckham receives knighthood

David Beckham was knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle in recognition of his services to football and charity. The 50‑year‑old former England captain received the investiture more than two decades after earlier royal honours for his sporting achievements. Wearing a suit designed by his wife, Victoria Beckham, he knelt before the king as the traditional ceremony was performed, with family in attendance. Beckham said he cried when he first learned of the award and called it the proudest moment for his family, joking that his children might call him “sir dad.”

Raised in East London, Beckham made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995 and went on to win six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League with the club. He later played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint‑Germain, retiring in 2013 with 115 caps for England. Renowned for his precise free kicks and crossing, he became one of the most commercially successful athletes of his generation, partnering with brands including Adidas, Armani, H&M and Pepsi. He has been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2005.

A lifelong admirer of the monarchy who has described himself as a “huge royalist,” Beckham queued for hours in 2022 to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she lay in state and attended high‑profile royal events. He has developed a personal rapport with King Charles, sharing interests such as gardening, and was appointed an ambassador for the King’s Foundation last year, supporting education and sustainability initiatives.

Beckham married Victoria Adams, formerly “Posh Spice” of the Spice Girls, in 1999; the couple have four children. Their relationship and the pressures of fame have been featured in two Netflix documentaries that explored family tensions, tabloid scrutiny and the strains of his international career. Beckham has called his family his “greatest achievement.”

The knighthood, announced earlier in the year, formally confers the title Sir David Beckham; Victoria Beckham will be styled Lady Beckham. Observers say the honour recognises not only Beckham’s sporting record but also his global cultural influence and long‑standing charitable work, placing him among a select group of athletes honoured in this way. According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, the Beckhams have a combined net worth of £500 million, reflecting their commercial success alongside philanthropic engagement.