Arise Sir David: Footballer Beckham is knighted

Sir David Beckham has described being knighted by King Charles throughout a ceremony at Windsor Castle as “my proudest moment”.

The former Manchester United and England star was accompanied by his spouse – now referred to as Lady Beckham – and his dad and mom, Ted and Sandra, as he was honoured for his providers to sport and charity.

Sir David, 50, was wearing a gray three-piece swimsuit made by his designer spouse, which was impressed by a swimsuit King Charles wore when he was youthful.

The footballer mentioned: “[King Charles] was quite impressed with my suit. 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.”

“It was something that my wife made me,” he continued.

“I looked at old pictures of [King Charles] when he was quite young in morning suits and I was like ‘OK, that’s what I want to wear’ – so I gave it to my wife and she did it.”

Speaking of his honour, Sir David mentioned: “I couldn’t be prouder. People know how patriotic I am – I love my country.

“I’ve all the time mentioned how vital the monarchy is to my household.

“I’m lucky enough to have travelled around the world and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud.”

Lady Beckham obtained an OBE in 2017 for providers to the style trade, whereas Sir David was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003.

Sir David performed 115 occasions for his nation in addition to for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris St-Germain and AC Milan, retiring in 2013.

He additionally performed a key position in securing the London 2012 Olympics, and has been an envoy for Unicef since 2005.

Sir David grew to become an envoy for The King’s Foundation in 2024, supporting King Charles’ schooling programme and efforts to make sure younger individuals have a higher understanding of nature.

Others honoured on Tuesday included Nobel Prize-winning novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and West End star Dame Elaine Paige.

Sir Kazuo, whose books embrace 1989’s The Remains of the Day and 2005’s Never Let Me Go, for which he received the Man Booker Prize, was made a Companion of Honour.

Evita star Dame Elaine obtained her honour for providers to music and charity.

The 77-year-old wore a blue feathered hat made by a milliner to the late Queen and carried a bag designed by Lady Beckham.

She advised the BBC of her honour: “To be given it for doing something you love doing and to have the privilege of being able to do, and be passionate about it, is a stroke of luck, I think.”

Speaking about her 60 years in showbusiness, she added: “It never felt like an effort, it never felt like work, being my passion and privilege to be able to do something I love, it’s never felt like effort, it’s just been a joy for 60 years.

“I feel to myself I’m so terribly fortunate to have had this excellent life in theatre and music, I actually am. And none of it was ever deliberate after all, it simply appeared to occur, so I do rely myself terribly, terribly fortunate.”