David Beckham saw knighthood hopes dashed by controversial emails leak | Football | Sport
David Beckham seemingly jeopardised his prospects of securing a knighthood following the emergence of a series of explosive emails. The England legend ultimately achieved his ambition this summer when he was bestowed with the prestigious honour after an extended wait.
Nevertheless, Inter Miami’s president and co-owner could have received his ‘sir’ title considerably sooner, were it not for a batch of contentious emails purportedly sent from the footballer to his long-time PR adviser Simon Oliveira. Beckham, 50, was understood to have received the green light for a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List for 2022. However, this failed to materialise due to the emails that originated from 2017. The Manchester United icon allegedly branded the honours committee “unappreciative c***s.” He also purportedly stated that he didn’t genuinely “care about being knighted,” whilst the former Real Madrid winger reportedly questioned why opera singer Katherine Jenkins was awarded an OBE.
“For what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops,” Beckham allegedly said regarding Jenkins receiving the honour, which was bestowed upon her in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List.
After his rejection, Beckham reportedly said: “I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.”
At the time, Beckham’s representative dismissed the reports, branding them as misleading and founded on manipulated material. They said: “This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third-party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture.”
A confidant of Beckham also maintained that certain emails had been “doctored” whilst others had been penned “in the heat of the moment.”
Beckham was awarded an OBE back in 2003. Nevertheless, the leaked correspondence was purportedly sent following his rejection for the superior honour. Despite the furore, Beckham received recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his contributions to Sport and Charity this year.
Addressing the accolade, he expressed that he felt “humbled”. He continued: “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.”
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express MUFC newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.
Beckham, who earned 115 caps for England and skippered the national side, has maintained his substantial charitable contributions. He has also developed a strong friendship with King Charles through the years.
David’s wife Victoria subsequently penned an affectionate tribute to her husband, expressing her pride in his new knighthood. The Instagram message also highlighted the star’s commitment to his family.
Victoria, 51, shared a photo of her planting a kiss on a beaming David’s cheek and penned in the caption: “You’ve always been my knight in shining armour, but now it’s official. Sir @davidbeckham!!! 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 everyday. But above all else, I’m so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx.”
