Former England captain and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham was knighted today (November 4) at Windsor Castle, for his services to football and British society. King Charles did the honours, after Becks was named on his Birthday Honours list earlier this year.
David Beckham services to football
The services to football portion of the knighthood comes from an extensive career for club and country. David Beckham played 115 times for England, acting as captain between 2000 and 2006. He represented his country in a total of three World Cups, and two European Championships, whilst spending 11 years in red at Manchester United.
David Beckham emerged in 1992 through United’s academy, joining Real Madrid in 2003, going on to join LA Galaxy in the US in 2007, followed by two loan spells at AC Milan, rounding out his playing career at Paris St-Germain in 2013.
Services to British society
As most of us know, during and since his playing career, David Beckham has been known as much more than a footballer. Having been married to Spice Girl Victoria (Posh) Beckham for much of his career, the two have always been an it couple, but it’s how Becks has used this platform which has earned him the knighthood.
Beckham has worked with Unicef since 2005 and had a fund named in his honour in 2015. He also became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation in 2024, supporting the King’s education programme, to ensure young people have a greater understanding of nature.
He also part-owns League Two club Salford City alongside former United and England teammate Gary Neville, and co-owns MLS side Inter Miami. Having grown up in East London, David Beckham also had a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London.