David Beckham is now a “sir”: King Charles III. has appointed the former captain of the English national soccer team as a knight. The 50-year-old was honored on Friday for his services in sports and his longstanding social commitment.
“I never thought that I would receive such an honor,” said Beckham, who grew up in the east of London in modest conditions, with “patriotic and proud British parents and grandparents”. With 115 international matches and numerous titles with Manchester United, including the Triple 1999, Beckham is one of the best -known footballers in his generation. In addition to his sporting career, he has been committed to charitable purposes for years.
He is a UNICEF special ambassador and was recently awarded the Crystal Award of the World Economic Forum for his commitment to children’s rights. As an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, he supports programs that are intended to make young people access to nature. With the appointment as a knight, Beckham is included in the series of other sports greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Andy Murray.
His wife Victoria, formerly a member of the pop band Spice Girls, is now becoming Lady Beckham. Together with her, Beckham has been in royal circles for years. The couple was invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 and to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.