Former England football captain David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood from King Charles III next week in recognition of his illustrious football career and extensive charity work, according to multiple reports including the BBC.
Beckham, 50, is expected to be named in the King’s Birthday Honours List, joining an elite group of British sports legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Andy Murray who have also received the prestigious title. Upon the honour’s confirmation, Beckham will officially become “Sir David,” while his wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, will be known as “Lady Beckham.”
The former midfielder earned 115 caps for England and played for top clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain. Off the pitch, he has continued to influence the sport as president and co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami and co-owner of Salford City in England’s League Two.
Beckham was previously appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003 for services to football, while Victoria received the same recognition in 2017 for her contribution to the fashion industry.
Beyond football, Beckham has been deeply involved in philanthropy. He has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 and was recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential leaders in philanthropy. He is also an official ambassador for The King’s Foundation, championing educational initiatives and youth engagement with nature.
Although long tipped for a knighthood, especially after helping London secure the 2012 Olympic Games, Beckham’s nomination had previously faced delays over an alleged tax avoidance scheme. He was later cleared, though the controversy re-emerged in 2017 when hacked emails appeared to show him criticising the honours system. His representatives said the messages were “hacked,” “doctored,” and taken out of context.
The upcoming knighthood is widely seen as a long-overdue recognition of Beckham’s lasting impact on sport, culture, and public service in the UK and beyond.
Written By Rodney Mbua
