David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses

News.com.au

13 hours ago

David Beckham is to finally be awarded a knighthood, The Sun can reveal. The footie legend, 50, will become a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list next week.
His Spice Girl wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham.
Ex-England and Man United star Becks has longed for a knighthood for years, according to The Sun.
The news will also bring some joy to the Beckham household amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz.
Politicians and fellow sports stars have spent years calling for the man known as 'Golden Balls' to receive a knighthood.
The father of four — who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity — has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles.
And the monarch dropped a potential hint last month that his wait was coming to an end.
Countryside-loving Becks, who is an ambassador of The King's Foundation, was seen greeting Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Coveted honour
He shares a passion for horticulture with Charles and sported the King's rose in his lapel.
Charles asked him: 'You got it, didn't you?'
Becks replied: 'It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.'
Letters inviting recipients to accept honours are sent out weeks in advance – and one may have already landed on David's mat at the time of their chat.
He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics.
But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee after becoming caught up in a tax avoidance scheme, along with many other stars.
Becks retired from playing in 2013, and his finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour.
Many thought it would finally come in 2022, after he spent 13 hours queuing with the public to pay his respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin, which lay in state in Westminster.
But he was again left waiting for the honour.
The Sun understands he narrowly missed out on a knighthood in the New Year Honours List published in December last year.
Former England football manager Gareth Southgate got the award.
David had been given an OBE in 2003 for services to football.
He received it from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, watched by proud Victoria, sons Brooklyn and Romeo, and his grandparents.
David and his wife — who shot to fame with the Spice Girls before becoming a successful fashion designer — have an estimated combined net worth of more than $1 million.
David also has a long history of charitable work, which will have been considered by officials on the Honours Committee.
Last year, he was formally made a charity ambassador by the King, and beekeeper Becks was buzzing with excitement at teaming up with him.
Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, which focuses on 'creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony'.
Tours of the grounds help to fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts, and the former footie star met woodworking and embroidery students.
Becks said at the time: 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work.
'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.
'Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work.
'It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips.'
In 2020, he teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun's campaign to save the Poppy Appeal amid the devastating Covid lockdown.
He said he was 'in awe' of the veterans as he delivered poppies to their London HQ.
David added: 'With another lockdown coming it is more important than ever that we support our veterans.'
Becks, also dad to son Cruz and daughter Harper, has carried out lots of charity work focusing on children, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 20 years ago.
To mark his 50th birthday last month he appealed for donations for the charity.
He was also a founding member of the leadership council of charity Malaria No More in 2009, helping to eradicate the disease, even visiting No 10 to highlight the issue.
In 2023, he delighted the Brentford Penguins – a football team for children with Down's syndrome — with a visit to celebrate them winning one of The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards.
He took footballing son Romeo with him to lead a surprise training session.
David celebrated his 50th last month with a string of parties, though Brooklyn stayed away.
The honours will be formally announced later this month.
The government does not comment on them beforehand.