Sir David Beckham Knighted for Contributions to Football and Charity

Windsor, England — Sir David Beckham, the former England football captain, received his knighthood from King Charles III at a ceremony in Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The honor recognizes Beckham’s significant contributions to football and philanthropy.

The 50-year-old football icon expressed his pride in a statement following the ceremony. “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honor,” Beckham said.

Beckham’s football career began at Manchester United, where he graduated from the academy in 1992. He played 394 matches for the club, winning six Premier League titles, and moved to Real Madrid in 2003 for a reported £25 million. He later played for LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain before retiring in 2013. Beckham holds the record for 115 appearances for the England national team, where he captained the squad for six years.

Off the pitch, Beckham has been actively involved in charitable work. He has served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2005 and was appointed an ambassador for the King's Foundation in 2024, which focuses on children’s education and environmental awareness.

During the ceremony, Beckham was accompanied by his wife, Victoria, and his parents. He commented, “I’m lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognized for work that gives me so much fulfillment.” 

Beckham has a history of celebrating significant achievements in British culture, including contributions to securing the 2012 London Olympics. He also co-owns MLS team Inter Miami and League Two club Salford City.

The ceremony also honored other notable individuals, including Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and rugby legend Billy Boston. Beckham noted that he had previously received an OBE in 2003 and had been a long-time advocate for the monarchy.

Upon receiving the honor, Beckham said, “It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud, and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”