Congratulations are in order for the now Sir David Beckham who was awarded a knighthood in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.
The global football icon, 50, was recognised for his service to sport and charity an honour for which he says he is “immensely proud”.
“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 received such a truly humbling honour,” Beckham said of the honour in a statement to British media outlets.
Watch the video above.
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“To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.”
Beckham was a Manchester United midfielder and captained the national team for six years during his career on the field. Since retiring, he has been involved in several charitable causes while also raising his four children with his wife Victoria Beckham.
“Off the pitch, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation,” Beckham continued.
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“I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.
“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.”
The knighthood sees Beckham become Sir David Beckham. It also means Victoria Beckham will now be known as Lady Victoria Beckham.
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The honour has been a long time coming for the former football star who has been reportedly wanting a knighthood for years.
He received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) from the late Queen Elizabeth II back in 2003 for his services to football.
Since then Beckham has been considered a shoo-in for the royal honour but has missed out on several occasions.
The football star was first put forward for a knighthood back in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics.
But he was blocked by the honours committee after he was caught up in an infamous tax avoidance scheme, alongside many other stars.
The finance fiasco was reportedly cleared around four years ago, putting him back in the running for the honour.
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Many thought it may come in 2022 after Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Beckham famously lined up for 13 hours to pay his respects to the late Queen that year and rumours swirled that he was privately campaigning for a knighthood at the time.
He didn’t receive one, and was in for more disappointment as he continued to miss opportunities to be honoured.
Beckham was most recently snubbed at the beginning of the year after he missed out on being named in King Charles’ New Year Honours list.
Instead Stephen Fry, Former England manager Gareth Southgate and London mayor Sadiq Khan received knighthoods.
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While Beckham was notably missing from the New Year list it was believed the honour has always been “inevitable”.
Former royal butler Paul Burrell told The Express his thoughts in a recent interview.
“He’s obviously been fast-tracked for a knighthood, but not just yet and they’re keeping him just dangling for a while,” said Burrell.
“I think he is an excellent ambassador, not only for charitable foundations but for our country. I think he’s shown his worth, and I’m expecting it.
“Of course, it’s going to happen. The question is, when.”
It turns out Burrell was right with Beckham finally receiving the honour.
Others honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours list this year include Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey.
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