Reports in the United Kingdom indicated that Manchester United legend David Beckham, also formerly of Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, will be knighted later in 2025.
Knight of the realm
BBC reported that they have been told that Beckham will be awarded a knighthood as part of the Birthday Honours List of King Charles III.
Beckham, well known for his stints in Manchester United and then Real Madrid, is also a legend among supporters of the English football team, having earned 115 caps and captaining them through several World Cup and European Cup competitions.
His status was cemented through battling performances, such as his 2002 appearance against Greece in a World Cup qualifier, where he seemingly single-handedly pulled England through, scoring a last-minute goal with a trademark curling free kick.
Historic. 🙌#OnThisDay 2️⃣0️⃣ years ago, David Beckham sent the #ThreeLions to the 2002 @FIFAWorldCup! 🤩pic.twitter.com/R69z3x3R1C
— England (@England) October 6, 2021
Beckham has remained in the public eye since retiring as a player, remaining active in the sport as a commentator and a part-owner of League 2 club Salford F.C., along with his fellow Class of 92 United teammates.
He also happens to own the United States Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi.
However, he has also leveraged his fame in the realm of philanthropy, which is credited with helping him in his bid to earn a knighthood.
The BBC documented his charitable efforts, noting his long association with Unicef, with whom he has been working since 2005 to help support vulnerable children globally.
He is also credited with playing a key role in securing the 2012 Olympics for his home city of London.
Leaked emails
But his pathway towards a knighthood has been rocky.
The Guardian recounted an incident in 2017 where emails showing Beckham bitterly criticised the honours committee, responsible for awarding honours and knighthoods, for not granting a knighthood in 2013 were leaked.
In 2013, he had instead been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), a prestigious but lesser honour, and the leaked emails showed Beckham using profanity to describe the committee.
Beckham’s representatives later conceded that part of the emails were genuine, but that they had nonetheless been doctored to include additional profanity.
Nonetheless, he maintained a close relationship with the royal family, especially with William, the Prince of Wales, a notable England fan.
Beckham recently helped William raise £15 million (S$26.16 million) for an ambulance fundraiser, and Beckham is a regular attendee of royal events hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Beckham and his wife, Victoria, also attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.
He was also spotted in 2022 queuing along with the public for 12 hours to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth, who was lying in state.
Beckham’s knighthood will mean that he joins an exclusive group of sportsmen to achieve the title, including Sir Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion, and childhood hero Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner for England.
Former Red Devils manager Alex Ferguson, a father figure to Beckham, was knighted in 1999.
His wife, Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and an OBE recipient in her own right for services to the fashion industry, will be known as Lady Beckham.
Top image via David Beckham/Facebook
