How David Beckham really felt receiving knighthood from King Charles
David was knighted by King Charles earlier this month
Sir David Beckham is opening up about the emotion and pride that made his long-awaited knighthood from King Charles a moment he’ll never forget.
The football icon, 50, was officially knighted on November 4 at Windsor Castle in a ceremony led by the king himself.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the honour, David said: “It’s been a very emotional week. I wasn’t nervous. Just emotional, as it means so much to me and my family.
“It’s such a huge honour to receive, and all-round, it was a very special day for us. It’s a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
David Beckham opens up about receiving knighthood from King Charles
The football star received the honour for his services to sport and charity. He was joined by his wife, fashion designer Victoria Beckham, and both of his parents.
It was a poignant full-circle moment. His parents hadn’t attended his 2003 OBE investiture, when he instead brought his maternal grandparents Joe and Peggy, both of whom have since passed away.
A family friend told the Daily Mail that David had wanted to share that earlier moment with his grandparents because of their devotion to the monarchy, noting that they were “loyal monarchists”.
For the knighthood ceremony, Sandra wore a dress from her daughter-in-law’s label. Meanwhile, David wore a custom three-piece morning suit designed by Victoria. It marked the first time she had created formal menswear for her husband.
“David teases Victoria that she never makes him any clothes,” a friend of the couple shared. “So she threw herself into it and made sure it was absolutely perfect.”
David later revealed that the suit was inspired by King Charles’ own morning suits from his younger days.
He said: “He’s kind of the most elegantly dressed man I know. I looked at old pictures of him when he was quite young in morning suits, and I was like, okay, that’s what I want to wear. So I gave it to my wife, and she did it.”
‘It’s my proudest moment’
Speaking on the day of the investiture, David reflected on the honour.
“I’ve been very lucky in my career. But to receive an honour like this… is beyond anything I ever thought that I would receive,” he gushed.
The football icon called it “my proudest moment”.
King Charles and David have reportedly struck up a warm friendship in recent years, bonding over their shared love of nature, particularly gardening and bees.
At the British Fashion Council Awards in May 2023, David famously gifted the king a jar of his homemade honey, “DBee’z Sticky Stuff,” produced at the couple’s countryside home in Oxfordshire.
In 2024, David was among the stars chosen by King Charles to be ambassadors for The King’s Foundation.
Their mutual respect was evident during the knighthood ceremony. The king touched David’s shoulders with a ceremonial sword before the two smiled, shook hands, and shared a brief exchange.
“The king was quite impressed with my suit,” the sports icon later revealed with a smile.
Read more: Sir David Beckham reveals ‘next big project’ as he’s knighted by King Charles
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