David Beckham has long embarked on a journey to secure a knighthood, a quest that finally reached its culmination with a prestigious honor from the British monarchy.

Renowned for his illustrious football career, Beckham has amassed an impressive array of achievements, including 25 trophies and 115 caps for England. On a momentous Tuesday, he added another accolade to his collection by receiving a medal from King Charles, recognizing his contributions to sport and charity.

Beckham, who has left an indelible mark on the football world, holds the distinction of being the only British player to clinch league titles in four countries, beginning with six Premier League triumphs in England.

Marking this significant milestone, the 50-year-old former footballer was joined by his supportive wife, Victoria, and his parents, who stood by his side during the memorable ceremony.

For years, Beckham has been transparent about his desire for this honor, a dream that, a decade ago, seemed far from reach for the former England captain. Now, his dedication and passion have been rightfully acknowledged, cementing his legacy both on and off the field.

Indeed, this time a decade ago, being handed a knighthood was unimaginable for the former England captain.

He was on the cusp of being made a ‘Sir’ back in 2014, but concerns were raised after he was caught up in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, which was later deemed to be legitimate.

And in February 2017 he took aim at the honours committee for taking him off the list for the gong, leaving his hopes of an honour in tatters.

So how DID the boy from the east end finally bag his knighthood?

Prince Harry and Meghan ‘fall out’

They’re two of the most famous couples in the world, who are once believed to have enjoyed a close friendship.

But in recent years, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are believed to have fallen out with David and Victoria – in a spat which seemingly dates back to 2018.

The row is believed to have heightened when the Sussexes allegedly accused the Beckhams of leaking stories about them to the press – while royal biographers claimed Meghan ‘didn’t like the footballer’s friendship with Prince William.’

Last May new speculation about their relationship emerged, when, as the Mail understood, King Charles met with David to discuss his charitable foundation while Prince Harry was in the country.

Previously, the Duke of Sussex had said that his father was too busy attending to ‘various other priorities’ to see him while he was in the UK that week.

David and Victoria had showed kindness towards Meghan ever since she moved into Harry’s cottage in Kensington Palace in 2017, the biographer Tom Bower has previously told The Sun. 

According to the Mail on Sunday, the couples bonded because Izzy May, David Beckham’s communications director, was friends with Markus Anderson, chief membership officer for private social club Soho House, who helped arrange Meghan’s secret dates with Harry.

Victoria, in what Mr Bower describes as an attempt to ‘build their relationship’, offered Meghan make-up advice.

A member of the designer’s staff is also understood to have helped Meghan with facials and hairdressing.

But the royal couple allegedly had a suspicion that the Beckhams leaked stories about Meghan’s help from Victoria to the press – a claim the former Spice Girl denied and left David reportedly feeling ‘absolutely bloody furious’.

In 2018, it was being reported that their friendship had grown and that Meghan was in the habit of consulting Victoria about style. 

Vanity Fair reported: ‘They get along well and have been in touch recently. Meghan really likes Victoria’s style and was keen to pick her brains about pulling together a working wardrobe.’

However Harry and Meghan then decided not to invite the Beckhams to their wedding dinner, despite the fact that they were asked to attend the marriage ceremony at St George’s Chapel.

Mr Bower claims the move was a ‘near-unforgivable insult’, citing that many Hollywood stars who attended the dinner ‘were not friends’.

But regardless of the alleged slight, David still accepted Harry’s invitation to attend the Invictus Games. He travelled to Sydney in October 2018 but then never even had face time with the Duke.

Mr Bower alleges that during this time Harry and Meghan had been regularly searching themselves on the internet to look for hateful comments about themselves. 

He claims at that point Meghan was ‘not prepared to tolerate anything flattering regarding the Beckhams and the Games to appear in the media’.

David found the apparent move to keep him separated from Harry as ‘a bit strange’ but decided not to call the Prince about it, the biographer wrote, adding that he and Victoria ‘barely mentioned’ the slight during their stay at a rented house in North Shore, Sydney.

In his biography, Tom also alleged that the Duchess was frustrated that Spice Girl turned fashion designer Victoria was reluctant to supply her with free clothes and accessories from her label, despite the requests being against Palace rules.

Then as Harry and Meghan prepared to make their move to California and step away from royal life, the Beckhams refused to take sides in the alleged row between the Sussexes and Prince William and his wife Kate.

David and William are understood to have had a good relationships since England’s World Cup bid in 2010, which Mr Bower claims ‘annoyed the Sussexes’.

Their alleged distaste towards the Beckhams friendship with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was furthered last year when David flew from Qatar to Boston during the World Cup to help William and Kate with their philanthropic efforts. 

American media highlighted the moment David kissed Kate on the cheek as she hosted the Earthshot prize ceremony alongside her husband.

In July 2023 it emerged there was a suspicion the Beckhams may have leaked stories about the Sussexes, an accusation The Mail on Sunday was told left David ‘absolutely bloody furious’. 

A source close to the Beckhams said: ‘David and Victoria went to Meghan and Harry’s wedding and were very supportive when Meghan arrived in the UK.’ 

But the accusations, which The Mail on Sunday has been told came in a tense phone call, fractured the Beckham friendship.

The source added: ‘Any making up now is so unlikely.’

Mr Bower says the spat was again furthered just weeks later when the Beckhams hosted a star-studded celebration after Lionel Messi scored a last-minute for David’s football team in Miami, Florida.

Meghan and Harry were reportedly not invited to the party, which is understood to have carried on for hours. 

The biographer alleged that Meghan ‘pushed’ Victoria away over the last few years, adding that she may have done ‘much better’ with the British public if ‘she copied Victoria’ instead.

Cosying up to the King 

In May this year the King and David chatted like old friends as they met up again at the Royal Horticultural Society’s world-famous Chelsea Flower Show on its pre-opening day. 

It was the first time the former England football star had ever visited the show.

Notably he was wearing a particularly stylish accessory: a new ‘King’s Rose’, named in honour of the monarch, in his buttonhole – which Camilla quickly noted, and called ‘beautiful’ on the day. 

The meeting came just after it emerged that the monarch sent the star a 50th birthday gift. 

Standing outside the Highgrove stand run by the monarch’s charity, the King’s Foundation, Beckham greeted the sovereign warmly and said: ‘Your Majesty, it’s so nice to see you’.

Astonishingly, Charles then appeared to ask whether the star had received the birthday present that he and his wife had sent.

‘You got it, didn’t you?’ he asked. 

‘It was incredible,’ beamed Beckham delightedly, ‘thank you, it was very kind.’

Beckham told the Queen of his recent celebrations that he had enjoyed a ‘perfect’ and a ‘busy’ weekend, ‘which was ‘a lot of fun’. 

Before this, they met at the British Fashion Council awards in May 2023 when David gifted him a pot of his homemade honey, ‘D Bee’z Sticky Stuff’, which he makes at the couple’s Grade II-listed barn in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.

The King was stunned to learn about David’s hobby and their conversation quickly turned to their mutual love of bees.

Charity work

Alongside his football career, he has supported a number of charity causes, including serving as a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian aid organisation UNICEF since 2005.

Last year, Sir David, who has described himself as a ‘huge royalist’, was named an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the King in 1990.

‘I’ve always been a huge royalist, I was brought up in a family and household that adored and loved everything with the royal family,’ he told Town & Country in January. 

‘When the King asked me to part of his foundation, I was very honoured, very privileged, I rang my mum straight away.’

The former footballer also admitted his wife burst into tears after discovering he had been approached by the King. 

‘She knows my grandparents would have been proud that I have played such an important role in the royal family and the charities that they have,’ he explained.  

‘Our King is an incredible man, he has not just been incredible for the last five, 10 years, he’s been an incredible man for decades. 

‘We have very similar interests, beekeeping … he’s into bees, I’m into bees, he’s into the countryside, I’m into the countryside, he’s into empowering young people so I’m very honored with that role.’ 

January also marked 20 years since Sir David joined UNICEF as an ambassador, a milestone he marked in a special Instagram post looking back at his charity work over the decades.

The emotional video saw the former footballer sitting down to watch his most significant memories across his time at the organisation.

Sharing a clip from his early days at UNICEF, he said: ‘This is the sort of work I want to do. This is what I want to be involved in.’

Looking back at the heart-warming moment, Sir David said: ‘I look young.’

The ex-England captain has helped children across the world, hopping back and forth across eras.

In one clip, he was wearing a suit and tie and giving a speech to a UNICEF meeting, while another showed a tattoo reading, ‘violence marks forever’.

He could also be seen on billboards and stepping out onto a football pitch to address fans.

In another throwback, a shirtless David was mobbed by children playing football on a sandy pitch as the ambassador smiled. 

Various shots saw him shaking hands with people he met across his many trips and watching as children ran around and played sport.

In many, he was holding young children and chatting to schoolchildren in impoverished areas, while in one he high-fived some young people he was visiting and pretended to shake his hand in pain.

Sir David’s charity work also saw him pouring soup and reading books with children during his visits, as well as showing off his football skills and even allowing one young player to put the ball through his legs.

Throughout the video clips, he says: ‘When I joined UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005, I could never have imagined the journey I would take with this incredible organisation.

‘When visiting countries all over the world, I’ve seen firsthand how UNICEF is making a real difference in children’s lives and in their communities.

‘I’ve listened to young people talk about the challenges they face and their dreams for the future. Children have the power of hope to be free from violence, to receive a good education, for girls to be treated as equals alongside boys.

‘Every child has the right to dream and with the right support and opportunities, children can be empowered to shape their own lives.

‘A lot has changed in the past 20 years, but one thing stays true: every child should have the power to dream. So now and 20 years from now, we must all do what we can to help children fulfill their dreams.’

He added: ‘I can’t believe that this year I’m celebrating 20 years as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and a decade since I created my 7 Fund. 

‘Since my first visits as a young footballer to UNICEF projects around the world I’ve been inspired to use my platform to support their mission to fight for the rights of every child.

‘I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved together, and it is a huge honour for me to receive a Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum. 

‘There is still so much more to do, let’s join together to help the world’s children reach their full potential.’

Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK Chief Executive said upon his knighthood: ‘It’s brilliant to see our UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Sir David Beckham, receive his knighthood today, which is so deserved.’

‘Sir David Beckham has spent over 20 years advocating for children’s rights all around the world, following his appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005. He launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 – with the goal of helping children around the world, especially girls, break down barriers including bullying, violence, child marriage and missed education. 

‘He’s travelled extensively to see UNICEF’s work and used his profile to raise awareness and launch global fundraising appeals, including supporting Soccer Aid for UNICEF. 

‘We continue to be so grateful for all of his support in amplifying the voices of children globally.’

Forging a relationship with Kate and Prince William 

In June this year David wished Prince William a happy birthday, taking to Instagram Stories to pay tribute to the royal.

The Prince of Wales turned 43 years old on June 31, and received a number of celebratory messages from well-wishers.

Among them was one from former England captain David who shared two videos on the social media platform.

The first, which showed the two men laughing together while appearing to attend an event, and had text superimposed on the snap.

It simply said: ‘Happy birthday Prince William,’ while David signed off the message with an ‘x’, denoting a kiss.

Meanwhile, the second photo, showed the men smiling and shaking hands and tagged the Prince and Princess of Wales. It also said ‘Happy Birthday’, followed by a heart emoji.

David has been a longtime friend of the Royal Family.

His heartfelt messages followed reports that Brooklyn – the eldest son of David and Victoria, who, alongside his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, have fallen out with his parents and siblings – are developing a close friendship with William’s estranged brother Harry, 40, and his wife Meghan.

David and Victoria were allegedly described as being ‘blindsided’ this summer by the growing rapport between their son and daughter-in-law, and the Sussexes.

It’s believed the Sussexes were once good friends with David and Victoria, until the quartet had a messy fallout, allegedly falling out after a row over allegations of leaking stories to the press.

Friends of David and Victoria reportedly told The Sun: ‘David and Victoria were blindsided by the news — they didn’t see it coming. Of course it’s a bit weird for them as they used to socialise with Meghan and Harry, and now their boy is doing it.

‘David has no problem with Harry and has always acted very graciously towards him, even after the fall-out with Victoria, and they still communicate occasionally.’

Kate has also shown her support for Victoria by wearing her suit designs for several royal engagements in recent years. 

Queueing for the late Queen 

David Beckham wiped a tear from his eye as he approached the Queen’s coffin following a 13-hour wait in 2022.

The football legend was among thousands to join the five-mile queue and purchased a box of doughnuts to share with his fellow mourners, managing to avoid detection for hours because of the ‘mutual respect’ he shared with them. 

As the former England Captain finally reached the end of the line, a changing of the guard took place while broadcast cameras hovered on him as he watched on solemnly. 

David was emotional as he waited his turn to pay his respects alongside the crowd of thousands, seen wiping the corner of his eye and covering his mouth with his hand as he approached the front of the procession.

The former Manchester United striker finally reached the Queen’s coffin at about 3.30pm after lining up for 13 hours, and took just a few seconds to bow his head before moving on to make way for the people behind him. 

When Beckham was finally spotted in the crowd, he spoke with ITV news about what prompted his decision to wake up and join the hundreds of thousands of other mourners expected to visit the Queen as she lies in state.

He recalled the ‘special moment’ he was awarded an OBE and looked back fondly on the relationship he had fostered with the monarch over the years.

‘To receive my OBE, I took my grandparents with me, who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the royal family, and obviously I had my wife there as well,’ he said.

‘To step up, to get my honour, but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk, I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life, to be around Her Majesty.

‘Because we can all see with the love that has been shown, how special she is and how special she was and the legacy that she leaves behind… It’s a sad day, but it’s a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she’s left.’

He added: ‘I think it’ll take a long time to understand [the Queen’s death] because I think Her Majesty meant so much in so many different ways.’