LONDON (AP) — David Beckham, the former England soccer captain and a long-time ambassador for the U.N. children's fund, is expected to receive a knighthood from King Charles III according to reports from U.K. media outlets on Friday. Beckham's recognition comes as a result of his significant impact both on the soccer field and in British society.
The knighthood will bestow the title of "Sir" upon Beckham, while his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, will be addressed as "Lady Beckham." Beckham previously received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003 for his contributions to soccer, while Victoria was also honored for her achievements in the fashion industry in a subsequent New Year Honours list.
Honors in the U.K. are granted twice yearly, typically during the New Year and in June to commemorate the king's birthday. Although the majority of these honors are recommended by the government, the monarch has the final say. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office refrained from confirming the reports, aligning with customary protocol, and Buckingham Palace also declined to comment. The report of Beckham’s impending knighthood first surfaced in The Sun tabloid newspaper.
Recently, video footage from the Chelsea Flower Show showed King Charles conversing with Beckham, inquiring if he had received his 50th birthday present. The king expressed satisfaction in having been able to gift it to him, to which Beckham responded gratefully. This interaction highlights the cordial relationship between the king and Beckham, who have met at various state functions over the years. Last year, Beckham became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, a charity focusing on education and sustainability that was established by Charles in 1990.
Beckham made history as the only English soccer player to score in three different World Cups, and his career was marked by a treble-winning season in 1999 when Manchester United claimed the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles. With 115 appearances for the England national team, he ranks third on the all-time list, having captained the squad 59 times.
After departing from Manchester United in 2003, Beckham enjoyed stints with FC Barcelona, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain. He now co-owns Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer team. Despite his many achievements, Beckham's career had its share of difficulties, notably following the 1998 World Cup, where he faced intense criticism for his red card after a clash with Argentina’s Diego Simeone, resulting in blame for England's elimination.
The 2023 Netflix documentary series "Beckham" sheds light on the abuse he endured during that period, including a public display of an effigy of him hanging from a noose. Beckham reflected on the challenging experience during an interview with the Associated Press, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on him.
In addition to his sporting achievements, Beckham is recognized as a cultural icon and a prominent supporter of various charities, in particular, UNICEF. In 2015, the organization established "The David Beckham UNICEF Fund" to commemorate their decade-long partnership. Furthermore, Beckham played a critical role in London's successful bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
If his knighthood is officially confirmed, Beckham would join a prestigious list of British soccer players who have been knighted, a group that includes England's 1966 World Cup winners Geoff Hurst and Bobby Charlton, along with Scotland's Kenny Dalglish.
