David Beckham receives a knighthood for his contributions to football and humanitarian efforts
David Beckham has been knighted by King Charles for his outstanding services to football and British society. The 50-year-old former England captain received the honour during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, having been named on the King’s Birthday Honours list earlier this year.
In his first public remarks after being knighted, David Beckham expressed immense pride, stating, “I couldn’t be prouder. People know how patriotic I am — I love my country. I’ve always said how important the monarchy is to my family.” Beckham’s gratitude was evident as he shared his pride not only in receiving the honour but also in how the monarchy is viewed globally, adding, “I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud.”
The ceremony, which was held in Berkshire, saw Beckham surrounded by his wife, Victoria, and his parents, Sandra and David, who were there to witness the historic moment. Beckham also revealed a personal touch about the occasion, saying that his wife, Victoria, had designed and made the suit he wore for the knighthood ceremony. “The King was quite impressed with my suit,” Beckham joked, adding, “He’s the most elegantly dressed man that I know, so he inspired quite a few of my looks over the years and definitely inspired this look.” Beckham’s suit was inspired by images of King Charles from his younger years, particularly when he wore morning suits.
Beckham’s career as a footballer is legendary. He earned 115 caps for England and captained the national team for six years, leading the Three Lions through multiple international tournaments, including three World Cups and two European Championships. He began his illustrious career at Manchester United, coming through the club’s youth academy before becoming a key figure in the first team, securing multiple Premier League titles. In 2003, he moved to Real Madrid in a £25 million transfer, where he spent four seasons before taking his talents to Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy. Beckham also had two loan spells at AC Milan before finishing his playing career at Paris St-Germain in 2013.
Beyond the football field, Beckham’s impact extends into humanitarian work and business ventures. He played a key role in securing the 2012 London Olympics and has been an ambassador for Unicef since 2005. His humanitarian work led to the establishment of a fund named in his honour in 2015, marking a decade-long partnership with the organisation. Beckham is also involved in sports ownership, with stakes in both Salford City and Inter Miami.
Beckham’s contribution to charitable causes has been recognised globally, and in 2024, he became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, supporting King Charles’ education programme and efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues among young people.
The night before the ceremony, Beckham attended the Queen’s lying in state, queuing for over 12 hours to pay his respects, a testament to his deep sense of respect for the monarchy and the nation’s heritage.
Beckham’s knighthood is a reflection of his contributions both on and off the pitch, making him one of the most recognised and influential British figures of his generation.