Sir David Beckham: A Big Night for the Former Football Legend
Knighting of David Beckham is official.
London (dpa) - Football legend David Beckham is finally getting the recognition he’s waited years for: a knighthood. The 50-year-old soccer star admitted to PA News Agency that he never thought this honor would come his way. "I couldn't be more bloody thrilled, and it's an incredibly emotional moment for me to share with my family," he said.
Beckham will be bestowed the honor of "Knight Bachelor", a knight without an order, as part of the 'King's Birthday Honours' list, recognizing King Charles III's official birthday celebrations this coming Saturday. With this title, Beckham can officially be addressed as Sir David Beckham.
A Spice Up for Lady Beckham
A household name in the sports world, Beckham's career highlights include winning numerous titles, such as the Champions League with Manchester United against Bayern Munich in 1999. He was already made an "Officer of the Order of the British Empire" (OBE) in 2003.
Taking the spotlight by storm, Victoria Beckham, his 51-year-old wife, who rose to fame in the 1990s with the Spice Girls pop sensation, will officially become Lady Beckham with the knighting of her husband. Victoria took to Instagram to shower her husband with praise and congratulations, calling him "my knight in shining armor for all these years, but now it's official!"
She further shared in a heartwarming tribute, "I couldn't be prouder of your dedication to your homeland, work, passion, and especially your family. But above all, I'm so proud that you’re mine. I love you so much, xxxx."
A Close Call in 2014
Beckham almost received the knighthood in 2014 but missed out. This led to widespread speculation and headlines, especially in the tabloids, about the reasons behind the snub. Reportedly, Beckham was profoundly disappointed with the missed honor.
The sportsman, also a model, entrepreneur, and football club owner, is an ardent fan of the Royal Family. Following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Beckham stood in line for hours to pay his respects to the late monarch at Westminster Hall.
Honors Galore
Honors are always awarded on the government's recommendation. The list for King Charles III's official birthday, born in 1948, includes 1,215 people. Traditionally, a batch of awards is also distributed at the New Year. The ceremony for knighthoods or medal presentations usually takes place several months later by a member of the Royal Family at one of their residences.
Beckham is joining an impressive list of honorees this round, which includes actor Gary Oldman (67) and The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey (81). Oldman's Oscar-winning role in the World War II drama "Darkest Hour" as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his portrayal of Dracula in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" added to his legend.
In Germany, the knighthood is a well-known award, but it's not the only one. There are multiple levels within the honors system, with several orders and levels below the knighthood. A Knight Bachelor is not a member of an order, unlike a Knight Commander, for example. Make the most of those "gongs" when presented!
Other recipients of a knighthood this time around include 18-year-old darts champion Luke Littler and his rival, world number one Luke Humphries (30). Both can now call themselves "Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" (MBE) for their exceptional services to darts.
Sir David Beckham, now officially referred to as Sir David Beckham, will undoubtedly extend his influence beyond the sports world, as his knighthood opens doors for other ventures. As celebrities like actors Gary Oldman and The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey also received honors, the entertainment industry may witness a new wave of involvement from knighted personalities, including other sports figures such as the young darts champions Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.
