David Beckham was knighted at Windsor Castle today, with his wife Victoria Beckham also celebrating the prestigious change. The former England captain’s knighthood was announced in June as part of King Charles’ birthday honors list. The Manchester United legend has been vying for the knighthood since 2011, but this week he will finally be awarded the title of Sir by a member of the Royal Family for his extensive contributions to sport and charity.
But Beckham is not the only player who has decided to adopt a new name. In keeping with tradition, his spouse, former Spice Girl and fashion mogul Victoria, has also adopted a different name. From now on, Victoria will be known as “Lady Beckham.”
This is a title given to a woman who marries a gentleman who holds the title ‘Sir’, and although it means an arbitrary official amendment, the 51-year-old welcomes it.
When Beckham’s long-awaited honor was announced in June, his partner shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“You have always been my knight in shining armor and now you are officially one. Sir David Beckham!” she wrote alongside a photo of herself hugging her husband.
“What an honor. I couldn’t be more proud of you. Your dedication to what’s most important: your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family, has never wavered.
“The way you have touched so many people with your kindness and humility over the years speaks volumes about who you are as a person and continues to inspire us every day. But most of all, I am so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much.”
Beckham was visibly moved after hearing the announcement, telling PA: “Growing up in East London with parents and grandparents who were patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined that I would receive such a truly humbling honour.”
“Playing for and captaining my country has been the greatest privilege of my career and is literally a childhood dream come true. Off the pitch, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Great Britain all over the world, support communities in need and work with great organizations that inspire the next generation.
“I am very fortunate to be able to do the job that I do, and I am grateful to be recognized for what I find so fulfilling.
“I think this news will take a while to sink in, but I’m extremely proud and it’s a very emotional moment to share with my family.”
Mr Beckham was widely rumored to have been knighted in 2022, but the committee apparently quashed the plan after correspondence in 2017 in which he was said to have criticized the honors system was leaked. Beckham reportedly lashed out at the committee, calling them “ungrateful scumbags” and saying, “I don’t care about the knighthood.”
Beckham’s representatives quickly refuted these claims, claiming the reports were misleading and based on manipulated content.
