Rumours are rife that former England captain David Beckham is on the brink of being knighted, having reportedly grown closer to the King in recent times. What’s your take on this?
Is it fair for celebrities to be honoured over those who also contribute positively to the community but without seeking publicity?
Have your say! Do you think celebrities should get honours? Or should they be reserved for those who do good? Leave a comment below.
It’s speculated that the King might bestow this esteemed honour upon Beckham as part of his New Year’s Honours list, acknowledging Beckham’s significant charity work worldwide.
The former England skipper, who has an impressive 115 caps and captained the national team for six years, has previously been rumoured to be in line for a knighthood, particularly after receiving an OBE in June 2003 for his contributions to football. Since hanging up his boots, Beckham has stayed in the public eye, not least due to his illustrious playing career at top-tier clubs such as Manchester United, AC Milan, and Real Madrid.
David Beckham once again found himself in the media spotlight when, ten years after his prime footballing years, leaked emails showed he had used explicit language in relation to the Honours Committee that denied him a knighthood.
This revelation, coupling with previous allegations of tax evasion during his stint in Spain between 2003-2007, seemed to considerably mar his chances at achieving a knighthood. As a global superstar, Beckham was further accused of spearheading a self-promotion campaign for the honorary title, as reported by the Mirror.
In emails that were leakedand which Beckham later hinted might have been doctoredhe expressed dissatisfaction over not being knighted and even lobbed criticism at singer Katherine Jenkins for her OBE, questioning: “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops.”
It is crucial to remember that honour recognitions are awarded to those acknowledged for their remarkable contributions to public life and steadfast service to Britain. These honours, including knighthoods, are customarily presented by the Royal Family on the proposal of the Prime Minister or other eminent figures during ceremonial occasions such as the New Year’s Honours or the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Notably, members of the public can nominate individuals, representing a substantial number of the recommendations made. These awards are emblems of the nation’s appreciation for exceptional dedication and service.
So, do you reckon the honours still command the respect they once did, or has the influx of celebrities receiving them diluted their significance?
Do you believe that simply being a public figure warrants a title, or should these honours be reserved for those who toil away behind the scenes for the benefit of others?
Have your say! Do you think celebrities should get honours? Or should they be reserved for those who do good? Leave a comment below.