After being in line for the award for more than ten years, David Beckham will finally be knighted next week as part of the King’s birthday celebrations. We want to hear what you think.
David Beckham will finally be awarded with a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list next week after years of public calls – and we want to hear your thoughts on the news. The Manchester United icon will officially become a Sir and join a host of other football legends who have been honoured by the Royal Family, reports The Sun.
The former England star, who recently turned 50, serves as an ambassador for The King’s Foundation and has continued to make notable donations to charity. He has developed a friendship with the King, who hinted at last month’s Chelsea Flower Show that David’s honour was finally on its way.
Charles responded, “You got it, didn’t you?” Beckham responded, “Thank you, it was incredible. It was very kind. Victoria, his wife, will go by the name Lady Beckham. It comes after David received an OBE in 2003 for his contributions to football.
Becks, who played 115 times for England, was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 following his role in securing the London 2012 Olympics – but was blocked by the Honours Committee after he became embroiled in a tax avoidance scheme, which he was cleared of four years ago. The now Inter Miami co-owner had been kept waiting in his bid to earn a knighthood, with Beckham narrowly missing out in the New Year Honours List published in December last year, the Sun reports.
Beckham’s anger at the New Years’ honours committee and possible setbacks in his quest for knighthood were revealed in shocking emails released in 2017. The former midfielder has claimed some of the emails leaked were fakes, but the football star is said to have called the committee “unappreciative c***s” and added that he “didn’t care about being knighted.”
According to the emails that were leaked, the former football player said, “I expected nothing less. To be honest, this is a disgrace, and ten years ago, I would have acquired something like this. Katherine Jenkins, an opera star, was reportedly hit by him after receiving an OBE. What does Katherine Jenkins OBE stand for? attending the rugby and seeing the soldiers. F***ing joke”.
A close friend of Beckham exclusively told The Mirror in 2017: “To be honest, he does feel that he has given so much to his country. And sometimes you say things in private that anyone would say and you don’t really mean it. While he was frustrated in those emails, he was over it the moment he sent them. Getting the knighthood is not what his work is about. He doesn’t care if he gets a knighthood or not.”
Beckham’s appointment as an ambassador for King’s Foundation, which earlier this year was viewed as a positive sign, was welcomed with a new role. He added at the time, “I’m thrilled to be working with The King’s Foundation and have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.”
I’ve always been interested in helping young people broaden their horizons, and I’m particularly interested in supporting the Foundation’s education initiatives and efforts to give young people greater access to nature.
Following the announcement that Beckham will be awarded with a knighthood next week, we want to know if you think the football legend deserves the honour. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
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David Beckham knighted] yet because A, he’s not old enough and B, he hasn’t earned his stripes yet and C, he’s still in a very commercial world.”