David Beckham was formally knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle on November 4, recognizing his services to sport and charity, and the 50-year-old England captain said the occasion was deeply emotional.
King Charles presided over the investiture ceremony, which was attended by Beckham’s parents, Ted Beckham and Sandra West, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to football and humanitarian work.
David Beckham thrilled to be knighted by Charles III
Beckham extends his influence beyond the field. He played a key role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London and has been working with UNICEF since 2005, with a fund established in his name in 2015 to mark 10 years of cooperation.
“It’s been a very emotional week,” Beckham told PEOPLE. “I wasn’t nervous, just emotional because it meant so much to me and my family.
“It was a very special day and a memory that I will cherish forever.”
She also became an ambassador for the King Charles Foundation in 2024, supporting educational programmes, environmental initiatives and community projects aimed at improving young people’s engagement with nature across the UK.
Beckham has emphasized his respect for the monarchy, once lining up for more than 12 hours to pay his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral in Scotland in 2022.
“People know how patriotic I am. I love my country,” Beckham said. “I’ve always said how important the monarchy is to my family.
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world, but all people want to talk about is our monarchy.”
How Beckham impressed King Charles at Windsor
Beckham was first appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2003 and was nominated for knighthood in 2011, reflecting his lasting impact on football and charity over the past 20 years.
But it was the outfit that particularly drew attention during the second royal honor from Britain’s 77-year-old head of state, who took office in September 2022.
“He was very impressed with my suit,” Beckham said. “He is the most elegantly dressed man I know, so he has inspired many of my looks over the years. This one was created by my wife.”
Victoria Beckham, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2017 for her services to fashion, designed the morning suit. David combined traditional style with a contemporary presentation for the investiture ceremony, modeled after the historic image of King Charles.
Beckham won 115 caps for England, captaining the team from 2000 to 2006 and appearing in three World Cups while playing club football for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
He is currently the owner of Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi plays. The club is currently participating in the MLS Playoffs and will face New York City on November 29th for a spot in the championship game.
