Sir David Beckham: The Football Legend Now Knighted
Renowned cult defector David Beckham receives knighthood
After years of waiting, English football superstar David Beckham, aged 50, has finally been knighted by King Charles III. In an emotional conversation with the PA news agency, Beckham shared, "I never thought such an honor would come my way. I'm beyond proud, and this is a personal moment I can cherish with my family."
Knighted as a "Knight Bachelor," Beckham can now be addressed as "Sir David," a title he's earned from King Charles's birthday honors list for this Saturday's celebrations. Over the span of his glorious career, Beckham has amassed numerous titles, with the Champions League win in 1999 against Bayern Munich being a highlight. In 2003, he was previously recognized as an "Officer of the Order of the British Empire" (OBE).
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For David Beckham's wife, Victoria, the news of the knighthood brings a new title to her resume as well. The renowned fashion designer and former Spice Girl member will now be known as "Lady Beckham." Known for her popularity since the 90s, Victoria's fame rivals that of her husband.
In 2014, there was speculation of Beckham receiving knighthood but it didn't materialize. Several tabloids ran stories suggesting reasons for the miss, leaving Beckham reportedly disappointed. A committed admirer of the royal family, Beckham showed his respect to Queen Elizabeth II after her passing in 2022 by waiting for hours to pay his respects at Westminster Hall.
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Knighthoods are awarded based on the recommendation of the government, with this year's celebration honoring 1215 individuals. The ceremonial presentation of knighthoods or medals typically takes place months afterward by a member of the royal family at one of their residences.
This year's honorees include actors Gary Oldman and Roger Daltrey, the frontman of the band The Who. Oldman received knighthood for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in "Darkest Hour," and as the vampire in "Bram Stoker's Dracula."
In addition, 18-year-old Luke Littler, the darts champion, and his rival, world number one Luke Humphries, were awarded the title of "Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" (MBE) for their contributions to the sport of darts.
Knight Bachelor: A Unique Honor
While the knighthood is a highly regarded award in Germany, it is just one of several levels in the UK's honors system. The Knight Bachelor is a stand-alone honor not part of any specific order, unlike the Knight Commander and Knight Grand Cross ranks. While the Knight Bachelor ranks below these titles, it remains a significant honor in its own right.
Interestingly, recipients of this honor are entitled to use the title "Sir" and post-nominal letters "Kt" or "KB." The Knight Bachelor is not hereditary and considered a personal honor, as opposed to the orders of chivalry like the Order of the British Empire, which includes several ranks like Knight Grand Cross (GBE) and Knight Commander (KBE).
- David Beckham
- Victoria Beckham
- United Kingdom
- British Royal Family
The Commission, in light of David Beckham's knighted status, might consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, considering Beckham's long-standing fame stemming from the entertainment and sports sectors, particularly football.
In addition, Sir David and Lady Beckham, with their newly acquired titles, could potentially contribute to raising awareness about the importance of safety measures in industries like entertainment and sports, such as ionising radiation protection.
