David Beckham has finally earned the title of Sir after being knighted in front of his wife Victoria and parents at Windsor Castle. The former England captain has been knighted for his services to sport and charity. After years of missing out, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has finally been named to the King’s Birthday honors list and received the honor on Tuesday.
Wearing a sleek gray suit tailored especially for the occasion, Beckham beamed and bowed to the king before being formally knighted in a ceremony at Windsor Castle. Sir David’s wife Victoria and parents Ted and Sandra were also in attendance as the legendary former footballer, the only British player to win league titles in four countries, accepted the honour.
The 50-year-old, who describes himself as a “Great Royalist”, was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2003 but had missed out on knighthood several times in the past until he was notified in the summer. He said he was “very proud” at the time and revealed that his wife cried when she learned he had been approached by the king.
After being knighted, Beckham told the PA news agency: “He was very impressed with my suit. He’s one of the most elegantly dressed men I know, and he’s inspired quite a few of my looks over the years, and he certainly inspired this one as well.”
“My wife made this for me. I saw an old photo of him in a morning suit when he was younger and I thought, Okay, this is what I want to wear. So I gave it to my wife and she made it for me.”
Sir David also told PA: “Obviously I’ve been lucky to have won and achieved what I’ve won so far in my career, but to receive a knighthood like this is beyond anything I ever expected to receive.”
“Honestly, it’s a great feeling for a boy born in Leytonstone, on the east edge of London, right here at Windsor Castle, to be honored by the most important and most respected institution in the world, His Majesty the King.
“This is definitely my proudest moment,” Sir David said of why he felt he was given this honor. “I think it’s mainly because of the career I’ve had, the teams I’ve played for, the things I’ve won and the respect I’ve had throughout my career. I think that’s why people listen to me.”
“And I think that’s a very powerful tool in philanthropy. I quickly realized that I could make a difference by what I said and what I participated in. I think that’s why it’s so important to me.”
“Everything I do, I do out of love,” he continued. Don’t do it because you’re forced to do it, don’t do it because you have to, do it because it’s important. ”
Among those honored on Tuesday were Nobel Prize-winning author Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and West End performer Dame Elaine Page. Rugby league icon Billy Boston was also knighted, while Alistair Brownlee, Deta Hedman and Devon Malcolm were all made members of the Order of the British Empire in the King Charles Birthday Honors.
Beckham made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995 and was part of the side that achieved a dramatic victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final with two late goals. He then played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
He retired from playing in 2013 after scoring a total of 85 goals and winning the Premier League six times and the FA Cup twice. Alongside his career as a footballer, Sir David has supported numerous charities, including serving as a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian aid organization UNICEF since 2005.
He was also appointed as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the King in 1990.
