For David Beckham, being handed a knighthood is even more of a precious honour than most.
As a young child he would travel to Horse Guards Parade to joyfully watch Trooping the Colour with his monarchist grandparents.
And just weeks after turning 50, the East London-born football star is set to achieve his dream of becoming a sir.
The Mail can reveal that Beckham was nominated for the award by Unicef, the charity that he has worked with for more than 20 years, and the British Fashion Council some time ago in a bid to get him the knighthood.
Sources say that both organisations ‘canvassed opinion’ over whether they should have put Beckham forward and received very positive feedback.
It is understood that some involved with the decision were very impressed with David’s birthday fundraiser, where he asked that instead of presents people donate to the fund to help children – particularly girls – around the world.
Friends of the former England captain say that there was an expectation that he would get the gong at the beginning of the year as part of the New Year Honours but he was pipped to it by Gareth Southgate as he had just resigned as England manager.
The Mail can reveal that David Beckham, 50, was nominated for a knighthood by Unicef , the charity that he has worked with for more than 20 years, and the British Fashion Council some time ago in a bid to get him the award
Sources say that both organisations ‘canvassed opinion’ over whether they should have put Beckham forward and received very positive feedback. (Pictured: David and Victoria Beckham attend a dinner in celebration of Slow Food at King Charles III’s Gloucestershire estate, Highgrove House, in February)
They said: ‘It was agreed it would be Gareth’s turn as the committee wanted to give it to him as soon as they could after his reign as England boss.
‘But this is the most perfect timing, it’s literally a fairytale that David would be knighted in this milestone year as he turns 50.
‘It’s the perfect birthday present for him, and of course Victoria who is so proud of everything he does.
‘While he won’t believe anything until it is official, it will put a smile on David’s face following the upset of Brooklyn and his wife Nicola snubbing his birthday celebrations last month.’
The honour will have been rubber stamped by King Charles, whom David has formed a close bond with since they met at the British Fashion Council awards in May 2023.
David gifted the King a pot of his homemade honey, D Bee’z Sticky Stuff, which he makes at the couple’s Grade II listed barn in Great Tew, Oxfordshire and they quickly bonded over their love for bees.
The King was stunned at the ex-footballer’s hobby and invited him to Highgrove where he asked him to join his foundation.
The honour will have been rubber stamped by King Charles, whom David has formed a close bond with since they met at the British Fashion Council awards in May 2023. The King was stunned at the ex-footballer’s hobby and invited him to Highgrove where he asked him to join his foundation
It is understood that some involved with the decision were very impressed with David’s birthday fundraiser, where he asked that instead of presents people donate to the fund to help children – particularly girls – around the world
It is likely that the King will come face-to-face with David at his investiture later this year. However, friends of the Beckham now wonder whether Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz will be present at the ceremony after they missed all five of David’s milestone birthday celebrations.
This time a decade ago, being handed a knighthood was unimaginable for David Beckham.
On the cusp of being made a Sir back in 2014, concerns were raised after he was caught up in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, which was later deemed to be legitimate in 2021.
And in February 2017 he took aim at the honours committee for taking him off the list for the gong, leaving his hopes of becoming a sir in tatters.
Beckham, usually charming and mostly mild-mannered, called them ‘unappreciative c***s’ and insisted he didn’t ‘care about being knighted’.
But ultimately, after years of waiting and hoping, Beckham has been handed the honour he’s craved for so long.
