David Beckham Joins Illustrious Group To Receive Highest British Honor

David Beckham’s agelong pursuit of a British knighthood has travel to a merciful conclusion, arsenic nan erstwhile England skipper was officially honored by King Charles astatine a ceremonial successful Berkshire connected Tuesday.

Currently co-owner of Inter Miami, Beckham—or Sir David—became 1 of English soccer’s first superstars of nan modern property astatine Manchester United.

Rising done nan younker team, Beckham would found himself arsenic a fixture successful midfield, lifting six Premier League trophies, a brace of FA Cups and nan 1999 Champions League title. That year, nan set-piece master vanished 2nd successful nan Ballon d’Or, nan annual ballot for nan champion subordinate successful nan world.

Beckham would spell connected to subordinate Real Madrid aft falling retired pinch United head Sir Alex Ferguson, adding his personage entreaty to a gaggle of sparkling stars successful nan Spanish capital. The 115-cap England world subsequently move to LA Galaxy, wherever he is credited pinch singlehandedly transforming Major League Soccer (MLS) into nan world marque it is today.

In his domiciled arsenic Inter Miami’s co-owner, Beckham played a domiciled successful nan 2nd awesome description of MLS aft overseeing nan presence of Lionel Messi.

However, Beckham owes his knighthood to actions beyond nan shot pitch.

Beckham was fixed nan chance to kneel earlier nan King of England acknowledgment to his “services to athletics and charity.” The 50-year-old has been a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian assistance statement UNICEF since 2005.

In an enactment which won’t person wounded his knighthood chances, Beckham was besides named arsenic an ambassador for nan King’s Foundation successful 2024.

Every Footballer With a Knighthood

Gareth Southgate (left) joined David Beckham successful nan King’s day honors database successful 2025. / Julian Finney/Getty Images

Only 16 erstwhile British footballers person ever been knighted—and that includes nan loose categorization of cricketing icon Ian Botham, who did make 11 convention appearances for Scunthorpe United.

This mini excavation has been expanded not only by Beckham, but besides erstwhile England head Gareth Southgate earlier this year.

Information via BBC Sport. No honorary knighthoods included and players must person made astatine slightest 1 quality successful Britain’s master leagues.

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