David Beckham got the royal honor of a lifetime when he was knighted by King Charles III earlier this month, but the retired soccer star managed to play it cool.
“It’s been a very emotional week. I wasn’t nervous, just emotional, as it means so much to me and my family,” David, 50, told People in an interview published on Tuesday, November 25.
“It’s such a huge honor 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,” he added, referring to his November 4 investiture at Windsor Castle.
David was accompanied for the occasion by his wife, Victoria, parents Ted and Sandra, and three of his four children: sons Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, and daughter Harper, 14. (Neither eldest son Brooklyn, 26, nor Brooklyn’s wife, Nicola Peltz, attended.)
David was knighted “Sir David Beckham” for his services to sport and charity and wore a suit designed by fashion designer Victoria, 51, for the special occasion.
“I couldn’t be prouder. People know how patriotic I am — I love my country,” David told the BBC at the time. “I’ve always said how important the monarchy is to my family. I’m lucky enough to have traveled around the world, and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud.”
David quipped that King Charles, 77, was “quite impressed” by his sartorial choice, which he said Victoria designed based on some of the monarch’s past looks.
“He’s the most elegantly dressed man that I know, so he inspired quite a few of my looks over the years, and he definitely inspired this look,” David said. “It was something that my wife made me.”
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“No one deserves this more than you, love you so much xxx Congrats Sir dad 😂 @davidbeckham,” David’s son, Romeo, captioned an Instagram photo of the family at Windsor Castle after the ceremony.
David was first announced as receiving a knighthood in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honors list revealed in June.
“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,” David said in a statement at the time. “To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.”
“Off the pitch, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organizations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation,” he added.
The statement concluded, “I’m so 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. 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.”
Following David’s investiture, his wife is now styled “Lady Victoria Beckham.”
