🔗 Share this article

David Beckham was bestowed with a knighthood at the historic royal residence on the weekday. The ex-national team leader, fifty, was among those receiving awards for his services to athletics and philanthropy. In recent months, he expressed he was “immensely proud” of being recognised in the King’s birthday honours.

Football Career Highlights

Beckham first appeared in England's top division for Manchester United in 1995 and was a key member that earned a dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999 when they defeated the German giants with two late goals.

Overall, he netted 85 goals and collected honours including multiple English championships and domestic cup wins as a soccer professional, before retiring from the sport in 2013. Alongside his football career, he has supported a number of charity causes, including serving as a charitable representative for humanitarian aid organisation Unicef since 2005.

David Beckham, with his wife Victoria, after receiving his knighthood at an honors event at the royal venue.

Philanthropy and Beyond

In the previous year, the sports star, who has referred to himself as a “devoted monarchist”, was appointed an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the monarch in 1990. In 1998 he was named top fashion icon by GQ magazine and he has posed for companies such as H&M, Armani, and Boss.

David tied the knot with Victoria in 1999 and the pair have a family of four kids together – their eldest, Romeo, the third child, and their daughter.