David Beckham has finally received his knighthood after a decade of effort, challenges, and one notable outburst. Few have worked harder or been more deserving of this honour.
His ability to overcome significant personal hurdles – including a `hat-trick` of setbacks – is a testament to his character and exceptional dedication.
A close friend remarked that this recognition is the ultimate accolade for David, meaning more to him than any trophy or financial success. As a devoted royalist, this honour signifies a lifetime of dedication, achieved at the age of 50. The friend emphasised David`s unparalleled determination, stating he always believed he could overcome obstacles and silence doubters. His family and friends are immensely proud, and David is thrilled, especially that his mother, Sandra, will witness this moment, calling it a significant event for the family.
For many fans, this knighthood is long overdue. Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages upon the news being reported. Few could argue against bestowing this honour upon David Robert Joseph Beckham.
As a former England captain, famous for his crucial last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, his playing career was legendary. However, it is off the pitch where Beckham truly transformed the landscape, single-handedly changing how players perceive their own value.
With his commercial team recognising his appeal and genuine qualities, Becks pioneered marketing himself as a global brand, transcending the sport itself. His numerous endorsement deals meant that by 35, he had secured financial independence, a stark contrast to the uncertain retirements faced by many former players who lacked post-career plans. Inspired by `Becks Inc.`, newer generations of stars have followed suit, securing their futures and providing for their families.
David was, and continues to be, a groundbreaking figure. While his wife, soon-to-be Lady Beckham, is a renowned fashion designer, it`s arguably David who set a major aesthetic trend of the 21st century: the tattoo sleeve.
Trailblazer
His first tattoo, dedicated to his eldest son Brooklyn, dates back to 1999. It`s regrettable that his 26-year-old son, Brooklyn, with whom communication has been strained, reportedly learned of the knighthood through friends rather than directly.
However, this might relate to royal protocol. Upon receiving notification from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, recipients are discreetly asked to keep the news confidential until the official public announcement. Publicly revealing the honour in advance is considered poor etiquette.
Despite the expectation of silence, David did share news reports about his inclusion in the King`s latest Birthday Honours on Instagram. A friend added that after years of speculation, David might not fully believe it until the official ceremony. He has shared the news with his immediate family but plans no formal celebrations until afterwards, demonstrating his understanding of proper decorum.
The friend noted that David wouldn`t reach out to Brooklyn given their current distance, but the possibility of Brooklyn extending an olive branch remains. While an investiture attended by his whole family seems unlikely at present, David is focusing on the positive aspects of this incredible achievement.
His parents, Sandra and Ted, must be immensely proud. The family`s admiration for the monarchy was evident when David queued for 12 hours in 2022 to pay respects to the late Queen.
Over the past year, David has also developed a close relationship with King Charles, a connection young David from Chingford could hardly have imagined. The monarch even sent David a special birthday gift by courier for his 50th birthday. David keeps the gift`s nature private, but it is described as “something personal to Charles and David, something special.” In return, David regularly sends the King honey from his own production.
Human side
His friendship with Prince William also continues to grow. They communicate via text, often discussing football given William`s support for Aston Villa and patronage of the FA. William has also credited Beckham with helping him handle the pressures of public life and constant scrutiny.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, David`s path to this coveted knighthood hasn`t been without significant obstacles. His contributions to sport and extensive charity work – including two decades as a devoted Unicef ambassador and being featured on the cover of Time magazine for his philanthropy – seemingly warranted recognition years ago.
However, he faced several widely publicised issues. Most notably, the leaking of private emails in 2017 revealed his frustration with the Honours Committee, which he unfortunately labelled with derogatory terms. While embarrassing, his refusal to pay a £1 million ransom to Russian hackers demonstrated integrity. The initial outrage was tempered by the emails also showing his genuine passion and frustration, revealing a more human side that many found endearing, particularly those critical of the committee`s past decisions.
‘Thoroughly decent’
David was also involved in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme, alongside other celebrities. HMRC won a case against the scheme, leading to significant backdated tax bills for participants. However, in 2021, David was cleared by tax authorities, confirming his financial affairs were in order and removing a major barrier to a knighthood.
More recently, his £100 million World Cup deal with Qatar, where being gay is illegal, drew criticism, especially given his history as an LGBTQ ally. However, following the World Cup, Qatar demonstrated a willingness for moderation, which helped vindicate Beckham`s involvement.
His 2023 Netflix documentary, one of the platform`s most watched, proved to be another turning point. David openly addressed all topics, including difficult moments like his sending-off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, which led to public outcry at the time. The documentary even featured Diego Simeone, the player involved in that incident, highlighting how David has come full circle and remains friends with Simeone.
`Utterly extraordinary life`
A friend summarised: “David has lived an extraordinary life, but throughout it all, he has remained a kind, patient, and thoroughly decent man. He graciously handles constant requests for photos and autographs, understanding his responsibility to use his platform positively. He also does extensive charitable work quietly, without seeking publicity.”
The friend concluded, “You would be hard-pressed to find someone with a bad word to say against him. It`s been a long time coming, but David finally has what he always dreamed of.”
Arise, Sir David.
