David Beckham Receives Knighthood in King’s Birthday Honours

David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in the forthcoming King's Birthday Honours, a distinction long anticipated after more than a decade of being overlooked due to controversies such as a tax avoidance scheme and his complex tax affairs. The 50-year-old former footballer, celebrated for his career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and England, has cultivated a close friendship with King Charles and served as an ambassador for the King's Foundation, which helped pave the way for this honor. Beckham's knighthood recognizes not only his sporting achievements—including being the only Englishman to score at three World Cups and earning 115 caps for England—but also his extensive charity work and public service. Past snubs, including missing out in 2022 after paying respects to Queen Elizabeth II and being passed over in favor of others such as Gareth Southgate, fueled speculation and frustration, but recent royal interactions, including a cryptic question from King Charles at the Chelsea Flower Show, confirmed the honor was imminent. This accolade will also confer the title Lady Beckham on his wife, Victoria, and is seen as a unifying moment for the Beckham family amid recent personal challenges. Overall, Beckham's knighthood marks a significant culmination of his long journey from sporting icon to a recognized ambassador of British culture and charity.