Sir David Beckham has hailed his knighthood, bestowed upon him by King Charles at Windsor Castle, as “my proudest moment”.
The former Manchester United and England captain was accompanied by his wife, Lady Beckham, and his parents, Ted and Sandra, as he received the honor in recognition of his contributions to sport and charitable endeavors.
Sir David, 50, donned a bespoke grey three-piece suit crafted by his wife, the fashion designer, drawing inspiration from a younger King Charles’s sartorial choices.
The footballer noted, “[King Charles] expressed his admiration for my suit. He is, in my estimation, the most impeccably dressed individual, and his style has influenced many of my looks over the years, particularly this one.”
“My wife designed and created it,” he added.
“I reviewed vintage photographs of [King Charles] in morning suits from his younger years, and I thought, ‘That’s the aesthetic I want to emulate.’ I shared the concept with my wife, and she brought it to fruition.”
Reflecting on the significance of the honor, Sir David stated, “I am immensely proud. My patriotism is well-known, and I hold deep affection for my country.”
“I have always emphasized the importance of the monarchy to my family.”
“Having traveled extensively, I’ve observed that the monarchy is a subject of great fascination worldwide, which fills me with pride.”
Lady Beckham was awarded an OBE in 2017 for her contributions to the fashion industry, while Sir David was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003.
Sir David represented his country 115 times and played for prominent clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris St-Germain, and AC Milan, retiring in 2013.
He was also instrumental in securing the London 2012 Olympics and has served as a Unicef ambassador since 2005.
In 2024, Sir David became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, supporting King Charles’s educational initiatives and efforts to promote environmental awareness among young people.
Other notable figures honored on Tuesday included Nobel Prize-winning novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and West End star Dame Elaine Paige.
Sir Kazuo, renowned for his works such as “The Remains of the Day” (1989) and “Never Let Me Go” (2005), for which he received the Man Booker Prize, was appointed a Companion of Honour.
Dame Elaine, celebrated for her role in “Evita,” received her honor for her contributions to music and charitable causes.
The 77-year-old accessorized with a blue feathered hat by a milliner who previously worked for the late Queen and carried a bag designed by Lady Beckham.
Speaking to the BBC, she remarked, “To receive this honor for pursuing something you love and to have the privilege of doing so, fueled by passion, is a stroke of luck, I believe.”
Reflecting on her 60-year career in show business, she added, “It has never felt like a chore, never felt like work. It’s been my passion and privilege to engage in something I love, and it’s been a joy for 60 years.”
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had this wonderful life in theatre and music. It was never planned, it simply unfolded, and I am profoundly grateful.”
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