EXCLUSIVE: Speculation mounts that ‘perfect royal guest’ David Beckham will be knighted
‘Sir David Beckham’, anyone? Speculation is rife that the former England captain could be up for a knighthood soon after growing close to King Charles III and the Prince of Wales
The King could bestow the honour on the global sport and fashion icon as part of his New Year’s Honours list, in a testament to his charity work across the world. Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria were surprise guests at a glittering state banquet on Tuesday night in honour of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher.
Beckham, 49, was described in royal circles as “the perfect guest” for the state occasion, owing to his ambassador role for the 2022 Qatar World Cup when the competition broke ground by being held in the Middle East for the first time.
The ex-player, who was capped 115 times for England as well as captaining the team for six years, has in the past been widely tipped to have a promotion from his current OBE, after being named in the late Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to football in June 2003. But after hanging up his boots playing for some of the world’s most illustrious clubs including Manchester United, AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Beckham hit the headlines a decade later when he was exposed for sending a series of furious emails, in which he branded the Honors Committee which rejected him for a knighthood “unappreciative c***s”. The foul mouth tirade, coupled with allegations of tax avoidance when he played in Spain between 2003-2007, seemed to have torpedoed his chances of being made a Knight. As one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, Brand Beckham was further accused of mounting a campaign to get an honor from the late Queen Elizabeth II, which would give him the title ‘Sir’ and make his wife ‘Lady’ Victoria in the UK.
