David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in the King’s upcoming Birthday Honours list, Sky News understands.
The former England football captain was awarded an OBE in 2003, on the recommendation of then prime minister Tony Blair, but is now set to receive further recognition.
Beckham, who turned 50 in May, would take on the title of Sir and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, would become Lady Beckham, as first reported by The Sun.
It has been a long-held ambition of Beckham’s, and rumours abounded last year he may finally get the honour after he was announced as ambassador to the King’s Foundation.
Speculation then hit fever pitch in December last year when he attended a state banquet for the first time, alongside his wife.
Beckham, who would go by Sir David, met the King last week at the Chelsea Flower show.
The monarch was heard asking the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain star, “You got it, didn’t you?”
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Beckham responded: “It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.”
The Queen was then heard telling him: “I’m glad you got the roses.”
Services to football and beyond
The footballing legend played 115 times for England before his retirement in 2013. He is the only Englishman to score at three different World Cups.
His career included the treble-winning campaign of 1998-99 – when Manchester United won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
He also played a key role in securing the London 2012 Olympics and has been an ambassador for UNICEF since 2005.
In 2015, the organisation launched the David Beckham UNICEF Fund.
Victoria Beckham received an OBE for services to the fashion industry in 2017.
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Beckham’s ‘hacked’ honours emails
Beckham’s hopes of being rewarded for his Olympic efforts in the 2014 honours list were scuppered by an issue with his taxes. HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.
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In 2017, details of the footballer’s leaked emails were printed in the national press, in which he appeared to criticise the honours system and committee.
A spokesperson for the footballer said at the time his emails were “hacked” and “doctored”.
