Arise, Sir David: Beckham Receives His Knighthood from King Charles at Windsor Castle

It was a moment more than two decades in the making — and one that David Beckham described simply as “my proudest moment.” The global football icon, philanthropist, and ambassador for The King’s Foundation was officially knighted by King Charles III in a ceremony at Windsor Castle this week, cementing his place among Britain’s most distinguished public figures.

Beckham, 50, attended the investiture with his wife, fashion designer Victoria Beckham — now formally Lady Beckham — and his proud parents, Ted and Sandra. Dressed in an elegant grey three-piece suit designed by his wife, Beckham paid subtle tribute to His Majesty by drawing inspiration from one of the King’s own early morning suits. “I looked at old pictures of [King Charles] when he was quite young in morning suits and thought, ‘OK, that’s what I want to wear,’” Beckham said. “He’s the most elegantly dressed man I know — and he inspired quite a few of my looks over the years.”

The King, known for his impeccable sense of style and meticulous tailoring, reportedly complimented Beckham’s attire during the ceremony. “He was quite impressed with my suit,” Beckham shared with a smile.

A Patriotic Honour Years in the Making

The former England captain’s knighthood recognises his decades of service to both sport and charity. Beckham’s career has spanned clubs across the globe — from Manchester United and Real Madrid to LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan — and he remains one of the most recognisable ambassadors for English football. Beyond the pitch, his influence has extended to humanitarian causes, including his long-standing role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005.

Beckham was previously appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003 for services to football, but this week’s investiture marks the pinnacle of his honours. “I couldn’t be prouder,” Beckham said. “People know how patriotic I am — I love my country. I’ve always said how important the monarchy is to my family. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world, and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud.”

A Royal Connection

Sir David’s relationship with King Charles extends beyond ceremony. In 2024, he became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, supporting the monarch’s efforts to educate young people about sustainability and the natural world. Beckham has often spoken warmly about his admiration for the King’s lifelong environmental advocacy and commitment to public service.

The knighthood also marks a rare moment of shared recognition for the Beckhams: Victoria received her own OBE in 2017 for services to the fashion industry. The couple, who first captured the public imagination during the 1990s as Posh and Becks, have evolved into one of Britain’s most enduring and respected power pairs — now officially Sir David and Lady Beckham.

A Star-Studded Investiture

Beckham wasn’t the only cultural luminary honoured at Windsor Castle this week. The ceremony also recognised novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go, who was made a Companion of Honour. Meanwhile, West End legend Dame Elaine Paige, known for her roles in Evita and Cats, received her damehood for services to music and charity.

Paige, 77, looked radiant in a blue and white ensemble topped with a feathered hat made by one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite milliners — and carried a handbag designed by Lady Beckham herself. Reflecting on her 60 years in showbusiness, Paige told the BBC: “It never felt like an effort — it’s just been a joy for 60 years. I count myself terribly lucky.”

A Defining Royal Moment

For Beckham, whose career has often intertwined with national pride — from captaining England in the World Cup to helping secure London’s 2012 Olympic bid — the knighthood feels like a fitting culmination of a life lived under both the global spotlight and the Union Jack.

“Being knighted by His Majesty the King — it’s something I could never have imagined as a boy growing up in Leytonstone,” Beckham said. “To be recognised for doing something I’ve always loved and for giving back whenever I could — that’s the greatest honour.”

Outside Windsor Castle, the newly minted Sir David and Lady Beckham posed arm in arm, their smiles capturing not only personal pride but a shared sense of national celebration. For a man who has worn the England armband and represented Britain on every stage imaginable, this was, as he put it, “the proudest moment” of all.