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David Beckham is reportedly set to be awarded a knighthood in the upcoming King Charles' Birthday Honours, in recognition of his legendary football career and continued contributions to British society.
The former England captain, now 50, was previously appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003. However, according to BBC Sport sources, Beckham is now in line for a higher honour, which would formally elevate him to "Sir David Beckham." The official list of honourees is expected to be released next week.
Beckham earned 115 caps for England and enjoyed an illustrious club career playing for top-tier teams including Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan before retiring in 2013. His leadership, global influence, and continued involvement in sports and charitable causes have kept him firmly in the public eye.
He was reportedly first nominated for a knighthood in 2011, though the honour was never confirmed at the time. In 2017, several UK newspapers published details of leaked emails in which Beckham appeared to criticise the honours committee after allegedly being passed over. His spokesperson later stated that the emails were hacked, manipulated, and taken out of context.
Beyond football, Beckham has played significant roles in national and international initiatives. He was instrumental in helping secure the London 2012 Olympic Games and has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2005. In 2015, UNICEF launched the David Beckham UNICEF Fund to commemorate a decade of Beckham's advocacy for children's welfare.
In 2024, Beckham was appointed an ambassador for The King's Foundation, supporting King Charles' initiatives focused on youth education and environmental awareness. His involvement with the foundation highlights his commitment to promoting understanding of nature and sustainability among young people.
Beckham also remains active in the world of football. He is a part-owner of Salford City, a League Two club in England, and serves as co-owner and president of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in the U.S. Under his leadership, the Inter Miami CF Foundation was established—a nonprofit aimed at supporting underserved communities through football-based outreach and development programs.
While the Cabinet Office has declined to confirm or deny the reports, stating that it does not comment on honours speculation, anticipation continues to build. Beckham's representatives have also declined to comment, but if confirmed, the knighthood would mark a new chapter in Beckham's distinguished career.
