England and Manchester United legend David Beckham will finally receive the long-anticipated Knighthood. His wife, Victoria, will be graced with the title of Lady Beckham.
Beckham, who currently co-owns Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami, will become a ‘Sir’ as part of King Charles III’s Birthday Honours List next week.
The former Real Madrid midfielder played 115 games for England, scoring 17 goals, and has earned plaudits for his philanthropic work.
David Beckham to Be Recognised with Knighthood in King’s Birthday Honours List
Arguably the most recognisable British player in history, David Beckham, is inching towards his Knighthood. According to The Sun, the 50-year-old will finally receive the UK honour next week, after a couple of near misses over the years.
Beckham, who serves as an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, has developed a close relationship with King Charles. In May, the pair were spotted exchanging pleasantries at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The King asked:
“You got it, didn’t you?”
Beckham responded by saying:
“It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.”
🎖️ Many congratulations Sir David Beckham!
Sir David will receive a Knighthood in The King's Birthday Honour's List next week. His wife, Victoria, will be known as Lady Beckham. pic.twitter.com/ObqDljRSJh
— Imperial Material ♚ (@implmaterial) June 5, 2025
As per The Sun, King Charles was referring to the letter sent to Beckham for accepting his Knighthood.
Beckham, who warmly greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla, wore a rose on his lapel. It was supposedly a nod to their shared interest in gardening.
Many expected Beckham to receive the Knighthood in 2011. But it ultimately did not work out as the Honours Committee blocked the commendation after he was entangled in a tax avoidance scheme.
David Beckham to Be Knighted: List of Football Personalities to Receive Knighthood
David Beckham, who made headlines after giving Serena Williams a special gift, will become the 32nd football personality to receive the coveted Knighthood (29) / Damehood (2).
Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish is the last former footballer to be recognised with the accolade. The former Scotland star received the honour in 2018.
List of Football Personalities to Receive a Knighthood / Damehood
| Year Received | Name | Reason for Honour |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird | President of the FA (1890–1923) |
| 1927 | Charles Clegg | Knighted for services to football, although the citation did not mention football |
| 1930 | Frederick Wall | Secretary of the FA |
| 1949 | Stanley Rous | For his contribution to the 1948 London Olympics and to football |
| 1954 | Amos Brook Hirst | For services to football |
| 1965 | Stanley Matthews | Contribution to football |
| 1967 | Alf Ramsey | Manager of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup |
| 1968 | Matt Busby | Winning the European Cup with Man Utd |
| 1968 | Harold Warris Thompson | Chairman of the FA |
| 1969 | Robert Kelly | For services to Scottish football |
| 1972 | Arthur George | For services to the Australian-Greek community, universities and sport |
| 1972 | Andrew Stephen | Chairman of The FA |
| 1978 | Denis Follows | For services to football |
| 1978 | Walter Winterbottom | First England manager, for services to football |
| 1990 | John Quinton | Chairman of the FA |
| 1990 | John Smith | Chairman of Liverpool, for services to Sport |
| 1991 | Philip Carter | Chairman of Everton |
| 1991 | Bert Millichip | Chairman of the FA |
| 1994 | Bobby Charlton | For services to football |
| 1998 | Tom Finney | For services to the FA |
| 1998 | Geoff Hurst | For services to football |
| 1999 | Alex Ferguson | For his success as a football manager |
| 2002 | Bobby Robson | For services to the FA |
| 2004 | Trevor Brooking | For services to football |
| 2006 | Dave Richards | Chairman of the FA Premier League and Football Foundation, for services to football |
| 2009 | John Madejski | For charitable services |
| 2010 | Bob Murray | For services to football and to education in the North East |
| 2016 | Heather Rabbatts (Damehood) | Director of the FA, for public services and services to football and equality |
| 2018 | Kenny Dalglish | For services to football, charity and the city of Liverpool |
| 2020 | Sue Campbell (Damehood) | Director of Women’s Football, The FA, for services to football |
| 2025 | Gareth Southgate | Manager of the England football Team, for services to football |
