Beckham to Receive Knighthood From King Charles; Arise Sir David!/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ David Beckham is set to be knighted by King Charles III, according to U.K. media reports. The honor acknowledges his legendary soccer career and two decades of charitable work. Beckham previously received an OBE in 2003 for services to sport.
Sir David Beckham: Knighthood Recognition Quick Looks
- David Beckham to be knighted by King Charles III, per BBC and The Sun.
- Knighthood rewards his contributions to football and society, especially via UNICEF.
- Becomes “Sir David,” while Victoria Beckham becomes “Lady Beckham.”
- Beckham was awarded an OBE in 2003, with Victoria honored later for fashion.
- King hinted at honor during the Chelsea Flower Show, referencing Beckham’s 50th birthday.
- Played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and PSG.
- 115 England caps, captain in 59 matches, scored in three World Cups.
- Now co-owner of Inter Miami, and recipient of 2024 Emmy for Netflix docuseries.
- No official confirmation from Buckingham Palace or 10 Downing Street as of yet.
Deep Look: David Beckham Set for Knighthood as “Sir David”
LONDON — Former England football captain David Beckham is poised to receive a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list next week, U.K. media outlets including BBC and The Sun report. While not officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace or Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, the accolade would mark a major milestone in Beckham’s public life — elevating him to “Sir David” and his wife Victoria to “Lady Beckham.”
A Lifetime of Recognition
The knighthood would be an elevation of Beckham’s previous honor — the Order of the British Empire (OBE) — awarded in 2003 for his contributions to football. Victoria Beckham, a global fashion entrepreneur and former Spice Girl, was also recognized in a separate New Year Honours list for services to fashion.
The royal honors are awarded twice yearly — once on New Year’s Day and again in June to coincide with the monarch’s birthday. The monarch gives final approval, but most selections come from government recommendations.
A Royal Hint?
Fueling the speculation, video footage from the Chelsea Flower Show in May captured King Charles III joking with Beckham, asking if he had received his “50th birthday present.”
Beckham’s reply: “It was incredible, thank you, it was very kind,” has been widely interpreted as a hint toward the upcoming knighthood.
A Storied Career
Beckham’s soccer career is etched into English football history. He:
- Scored in three separate World Cups, the only Englishman to do so.
- Was part of Manchester United’s famous 1999 treble-winning team — securing the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
- Earned 115 caps for England, serving as captain in 59 matches, placing him among England’s most respected national team figures.
After leaving Manchester United in 2003, Beckham went on to play for:
- Real Madrid
- LA Galaxy
- Paris Saint-Germain
Today, Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club he helped launch.
Public Service & Redemption
Beyond the pitch, Beckham has been recognized for his charity work and diplomacy. In 2005, he became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and in 2015, the agency launched the David Beckham UNICEF Fund to mark 10 years of his advocacy.
Beckham also played a prominent role in London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid, helping bring the Summer Games to the U.K.
Despite his successes, Beckham’s career has had its controversies. Most notably, his 1998 World Cup red card for kicking Argentina’s Diego Simeone sparked widespread criticism back home. In the 2023 Netflix documentary Beckham, he reflected on the emotional toll of being vilified, including the chilling image of an effigy of him hung outside a London pub.
“I knew it was bad at the time, but going over that whole thing was quite a tough one,” Beckham told the AP during the documentary’s release.
That same documentary earned Beckham an Emmy Award in 2024 for Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series.
Official Silence, But Media Confidence
So far, neither the FBI, the DOJ, nor Buckingham Palace has confirmed the knighthood reports. The Associated Press noted that it couldn’t independently verify the honor. Nonetheless, the BBC’s confidence in the story and The Sun’s front-page coverage have fueled widespread public anticipation.
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