Arise, Sir David – Beckham receives knighthood

Sir David Beckham, the ex-captain of England, has received a formal knighthood for his contributions to British society and football.

The King presented the 50-year-old with the honors on Tuesday at a ceremony held in Berkshire in honor of the man who was earlier honored on King Charles’ Birthday Honours list.

Beckham remarked, “I couldn’t be prouder.” I love my country, and people know how patriotic I am.

I’ve always emphasized to my family how important the monarchy is.

“Our monarchy is everything people want to talk to me about, and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world.” I’m proud of it.

At Windsor Castle, his wife Victoria and his parents Sandra and David joined him.

The suit her husband wore at the castle was created and made by Victoria, who received an OBE in 2017 for her work in the fashion sector.

Beckham claimed that “King Charles] was quite impressed with my suit.”

He “has definitely inspired this look because he is the most elegantly dressed man I have ever met.”

My wife made me do it, she said.

When I was a young man wearing morning suits when he was quite young, I said to my wife, “OK, that’s what I want to wear,” and she did.

Beckham captained the Three Lions for six seasons between 2000 and 2006 while playing for his country 115 times.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder represented England at three World Cups and two European Championships.

Beckham left United’s academy in 1992, where he spent 11 years before making a £25 million move to Real in 2003.

Before joining the Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy, he spent four years in the Spanish capital. Prior to completing his career at Paris St-Germain in 2013, he spent two loan spells at AC Milan while residing in Los Angeles.

Beckham’s influence extends far beyond the pitch, though.

He contributed to London’securing the 2012 Olympics thanks to his birth in east London.

Since 2005, he has collaborated with the UNICEF’s humanitarian aid program, and a fund was established in his honor in 2015 to honor the pair’s ten-year partnership.

In 2024, Beckham supported King Charles’ education program and efforts to increase young people’s understanding of nature. She served as the foundation’s ambassador.