By Martin Graham
David Beckham has officially become Sir David after being knighted by King Charles for his contributions to football and service to the United Kingdom.
The former England captain, 50, received the honor during a ceremony held at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on Tuesday, months after being named in the King’s Birthday Honors List.
After the event, Beckham expressed his pride and affection for his homeland. “Everybody knows what a patriot I am,” he said. “I’ve always talked about how much the monarchy means to my family, and it makes me incredibly proud.”
The ceremony was attended by his wife, Victoria, as well as his parents, Sandra and David, who watched him receive the award.
A touch of royal style
The ceremony was also a fashionable family affair. Victoria Beckham designed and tailored the dress her husband wore for the occasion.
“Her Majesty was very taken with my dress,” Beckham revealed with a smile. “He’s one of the most stylish men I’ve ever met and has influenced a lot of my looks over the years.”
Beckham said the inspiration for the dress came from photographs of a young King Charles in formal attire. “I showed Victoria the photos and said, ‘This is what I want,’ and she made it happen.”
Legacy on and off the field
Beckham represented England 115 times, captaining the national team between 2000 and 2006. He participated in three World Cups and two European Championships.
it happened Manchester United’s youth system in 1992, he stayed at Old Trafford for more than a decade before joining Real Madrid in 2003 for £25m. After four years in Spain, he moved to LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, enjoyed loan spells at AC Milan and ended his playing career with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Beckham’s influence has extended much further. Born in East London, he played a key role in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London and has supported humanitarian causes for two decades.
Beyond the game
Beckham began his work with UNICEF in 2005, and ten years later, the organization launched the “7 Fund” in his name to mark their ongoing partnership.
His deep connection to the royal family was evident when he queued for more than twelve hours to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II while she was in state in 2022.
In 2024, Beckham became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, supporting educational and environmental awareness initiatives among young people.
Today, he continues to play a role in football as co-owner of Salford City alongside Gary Neville and as co-owner of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
