David Beckham will be knighted at Windsor Castle on Tuesday after being named in King Charles’ Birthday Honours list earlier this summer
David Beckham will be knighted on Tuesday(Image: Getty)
David Beckham will receive his knighthood on Tuesday. The Manchester United and England icon will be honoured for services to sport and charity having learnt of the recognition this summer.
Beckham stands as one of English football’s most iconic personalities and was awarded an OBE in 2003. After reportedly being considered for a knighthood since 2011 he will finally become Sir David following his announcement as a recipient in King Charles‘ Birthday Honours list this past June.
The 50-year-old played a crucial part in securing the London 2012 Olympics, has served as a Unicef ambassador for two decades and has been collaborating with King Charles and The King’s Foundation since 2024.
During his Windsor Castle ceremony, tradition will require Beckham to kneel on his right knee whilst the King or another Royal Family member touches his right shoulder and then his left with a ceremonial sword blade.
Speaking in June when Beckham was revealed as a recipient, he told PA: “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 it was literally a boyhood dream come true.
Beckham and his wife are close to the Royal Family(Image: Getty)
“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,” he added.
“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.”
After sharing the news with his mother over lunch he posted on Instagram and captioned a photo: “Mum cried when she arrived, cried during lunch and cried when I was leaving. It was a special moment for us all.”
Following his ceremony, Beckham will adopt his new official title of Sir David Beckham. Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was knighted in 1999, confessed that he was uncertain about taking on the new title but was persuaded by his family.
The 50-year-old is being partly honoured for his various charity works(Image: Getty)
“I put it to the family,” Ferguson revealed to United’s official magazine in 2000. “Cathy was a bit, ‘Oh, I don’t know, what would your father think?’ And my son said, ‘Mum, it’s nothing to do with Dad’s parents.’
“‘They’re gone. They’d be proud of him – you can’t refuse this, it’s recognition of what he’s done.’ We had a discussion and decided it was right.”
Beckham’s wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, will also embrace a new title following Tuesday’s ceremony and will now be known as ‘Lady Beckham.’ The footballing legend could have attended such a ceremony much earlier if not for the leak of some emails in 2017 that allegedly criticised the honours system and committee.