More than 20 years after receiving his OBE, David Beckham has been snubbed for a knighthood again.
The repeated snub has brought back memories of the angry set of alleged emails that were believed to have been sent by Beckham in 2017, when he was allegedly furious about not being knighted. During his exceptional football career, Beckham captained the England team and dazzled for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He is now the joint-owner of Inter Miami in MLS.
Nevertheless, at the age of 49, Beckham faces another year without the coveted title of ‘Sir’. Gloucestershire Live dives into the situation around Beckham’s lack of a knighthood.
The first royal honour
Beckham was given an OBE in 2003
(Image: Getty Images)
In June 2003, Beckham received an OBE for his contributions to football in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. However, this accolade has not been followed by a knighthood, despite more than 20 years passing by. During an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show, the famous talk-show host touched on the subject.
At the end of the show, Ross said: “I don’t see how they could possibly pass you over. How can they not give you a knighthood?”
Despite being frequently talked about during honours list ceremonies, the famous English sportsman hasn’t received any further Royal recognition, with another omission for this year. For every passing year that Becks doesn’t receive a knighthood, which many believe he has earned, it throws up memories of the alleged leaked emails purported to be from Beckham in 2017.
‘It’s a disgrace’
Beckham is a busy man, even after retiring from football
(Image: Getty Images)
Seven years ago, Beckham’s anger was felt in a set of emails that were allegedly sent by him. After being snubbed in 2017, he is claimed to have written in an email that he “didn’t care about being knighted,” before referring to members of the committee as “unappreciative c***s” and “a disgrace.”
Although he has alleged some messages were doctored, Beckham was also accused of ridiculing Katherine Jenkins’ OBE in the same year, by writing: “For what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops?”
Amidst these emails, there was also an accusation that Ross was told to make his comment about Beckham not receiving an OBE by the ex-footballer’s chief PR advisor, Simon Oliveira. All parties have denied that allegation.
Radio silence
Beckham continues to do lots of work with the Royal Family
(Image: Getty Images)
Ever since the leaking of these emails, Beckham hasn’t approached knighthood territory. In a display of public respect, he notably queued for over half a day in 2022 to pay his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and, more recently, he became a new ambassador for the King’s Foundation charity.
Just when it seemed he might have been honoured on the King’s birthday list, Beckham was snubbed again. Adding salt to the wound, a jab was made at his expense during the inaugural award ceremony held by the King’s Foundation.
Rod Stewart’s dig
Rod Stewart made a joke at Beckham’s expense
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Rod Stewart couldn’t resist delivering a witty remark at Beckham’s lack of a knighthood. Stewart, who was knighted in 2016 himself, seized an opportunity for a light-hearted jest at Beckham at the King’s Foundation charity.
The Scot said: “I am also wonderfully honoured to be a knight and, David, yours is coming soon.”
With a light-hearted head shake, Beckham made a wry smile at the quip. However, with emergence that Beckham will not receive a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List, it remains an accolade that alludes him after this latest snub.
Beckham’s ventures
Beckham is a busy man thanks to his ownership of Inter Miami
(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Beckham rose to prominence thanks to his impressive football career and marriage to Spice Girl wife Victoria. He is now the owner of MLS side Inter Miami, although his business endeavours on the whole have seen varying degrees of success.
This month brought renewed anticipation of a potential knighthood, especially following his engagement with the King, after Rod Stewart’s playful remark months earlier.
With his wife Victoria, Beckham was spotted at a state banquet in honour of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. Despite facing criticism for accepting £150million in 2022 to promote their hosting of the World Cup that year, Beckham was described as the “perfect guest” for the state occasion.