David Beckham to be knighted as part of King’s birthday honours

David Beckham is reportedly set to be knighted in the upcoming King’s Birthday Honours.

The commendation would mark a new milestone in recognition of both his legendary football career and extensive charitable work.

The 50-year-old, who captained England and earned 115 international caps, was initially made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003. More than two decades later, he is now expected to receive one of the UK’s highest accolades.

Beckham’s professional journey spanned some of the world’s top clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan. He hung up his boots in 2013.

Off the field, Beckham has been deeply involved in charitable and philanthropic work. Since 2005, he has served as a UNICEF ambassador, and in 2015 the ‘David Beckham UNICEF Fund’ was established to celebrate ten years of partnership.

More recently, Beckham became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation in 2024, working to promote youth education and environmental awareness, key initiatives of King Charles III.

David Beckham will be knighted next week as part of the King's Birthday Honours. pic.twitter.com/Z5z5b7Vuco

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 6, 2025

Beckham was first nominated for a knighthood back in 2011. However, the journey has not been without controversy. In 2017, leaked emails surfaced in several British newspapers, reportedly showing Beckham’s criticism of the honours system and its decision-makers.

Beyond his sporting and charitable achievements, Beckham has also made significant contributions to football ownership and development.

He is part-owner of Salford City, who compete in England’s League Two, and holds the roles of president and co-owner at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Wayne Rooney, Beckham’s longtime England teammate, praised the move, saying: “He is a great ambassador for football and the country.

“We all see the charity work that he has done for many years and I am sure he will continue to do that.

“Globally he is a massive icon for any charity to work alongside and he makes everyone proud by raising a lot of money over the years.

“You don’t get to his level worldwide if you don’t work hard. He was persistent and kept going to get the reward he deserved.”

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