David Beckham gets his long-awaited knighthood from King Charles
David Beckham has been knighted by King Charles during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday morning (evening AEDT).
The former footballer, 50, was joined by proud parents Ted and Sandra Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham, who gifted her husband a special item for the occasion.
Sir David wore a morning suit designed and made by his wife’s fashion label, in a first for the womenswear designer who will now be known as Lady Beckham.
READ MORE: People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025 has been crowned
It was a rare treat for the popular personality to have His Majesty conduct the investiture, with Prince William and Princess Anne doing the majority of them in the last few months.
After the ceremony, Sir David revealed the monarch was quite taken by his look, which was inspired by the King’s own sartorial style.
“He was quite impressed with my suit,” the 50-year-old told UK media.
“It was something that my wife made me. I looked at old pictures of him [King Charles] when he was quite young in morning suits and I was like, ‘OK, that’s what I want to wear’, so I gave it to my wife and she did it.”
READ MORE: Eva Mendes hits back at reports she’s moved to the UK
READ MORE: Prince William’s blunt reason for leaving the UK without Kate
IN PICTURES: All the glamorous trackside looks at the Melbourne Cup 2025
He received the honour for services to football and charity, with the knighthood announced in the King’s Birthday Honours earlier this year.
It marks the culmination of a 20-year campaign to be recognised with the prestigious – and highest – royal honour.
His former Spice Girl wife received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017, while David was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 before the knighthood from King Charles, who is a fellow beekeeper.
Following Tuesday’s ceremony, David – who describes himself as a “huge royalist” – said he never thought he’d receive such an award.
“I’ve been very obviously lucky in my career to have won what I’ve won and done what I’ve done, but to receive an honour like this, of a knight, is beyond anything that I ever thought that I would receive,” he said.
“To be honest, a young boy from the East End of London, born in Leytonstone, and here at Windsor Castle, being honoured by His Majesty the King – the most important and the most respected institution in the world – it’s quite a moment.
“This is without doubt my proudest moment.”
At the time his knighthood was announced, in June, the footballer echoed a similar sentiment, saying he was “immensely proud” and humbled by the news.
“Growing up in East London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would received such a truly humbling honour,” he told the UK’s Press Association.
”To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.
“Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation.”
David is best known for his 11-year run with Manchester United before playing overseas for Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain and LA Galaxy.
He also captained the England team from 2000 to 2006, through three World Cups and two European Championships.
But his impact behind the scenes in the sporting world has been considered equally impactful, with David credited as instrumental in the London 2012 Olympics bid. He also part-owns the Salford City football team.
He’s also been heavily involved in charity work for two decades, including with Unicef and as a part of The King’s Foundation.
David was first nominated for a knighthood back in 2011 but a tax debacle led to him being blocked until authorities cleared him in 2021.
He had then been widely tipped to receive a knighthood in 2022 but a scandal that unfolded from a leaked 2017 email criticising the royal honours system scuppered that at the time.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham’s family life in pictures
It wasn’t a long wait until he got the recognition he wanted though, just three years into King Charles’s reign.
“You’ve always been my knight in shining armour, but now it’s official. Sir David Beckham!,” Victoria said in a social media post when the news was announced.
“What an honour, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most – your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family – has never wavered.
“The way you’ve touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us every day. But above all else, I’m so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much.”
The couple celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in July, which Victoria cheekily referenced in her recent Netflix documentary that many said the singer and footballer’s marriage wouldn’t last when they wed in 1999.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
