David Beckham receives knighthood from King Charles | Football | Sport
David Beckham has finally become a Sir after being knighted at Windsor Castle in front of his wife, Victoria, and his parents. The former England captain was knighted for his services to sport and charity. After years of missing out, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was finally selected in the King’s Birthday Honours list and received his honour on Tuesday.
Wearing a slick navy suit tailor-made for the occasion and a beaming smile, Beckham bowed towards The King before he was officially knighted in his ceremony at Windsor Castle. Sir David’s wife, Victoria, and parents, Ted and Sandra, were present as the legendary former footballer, who remains the only British footballer to win league titles in four different countries, received the honour.
The 50-year-old, who has described himself as a ‘huge royalist’, was awarded an OBE in 2003 but had repeatedly missed out on a knighthood in the past before he was informed back in the summer. He said at the time that he was ‘immensely proud’ and revealed that his wife had been reduced to tears after discovering that he had been approached by the King.
A statement read: “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 receive such a truly humbling honour.
“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.
“I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.
“It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”
And following a near five-month wait, the current co-owner of Inter Miami CF and Salford City was finally handed his honour in a ceremony alongside the King. The 50-year-old was one of a number of familiar faces to receive awards.
Also among the personalities to be honoured on Tuesday were Nobel Prize-winning novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and West End performer Dame Elaine Paige. Rugby League icon Billy Boston was also knighted, while Alistair Brownlee, Deta Hedman and Devon Malcolm were awarded OBE’s in King Charles’ Birthday Honours.
Beckham made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995 and was part of the team that earned a dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999 when they beat Bayern Munich with two late goals. He then went on to play for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
In total, he scored 85 goals and collected honours, including six Premier League titles and two FA Cups, before retiring from the sport in 2013. Alongside his football career, Sir David has supported a number of charity causes, including serving as a goodwill ambassador for the humanitarian aid organisation UNICEF since 2005.
He was also named an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the King in 1990.
