Arise at last, Sir David: Beckham humbled by knighthood
Former England football captain David Beckham "never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour" after being knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.
Beckham, who was made an OBE in 2003, receives a knighthood alongside actor Gary Oldman and The Who singer Roger Daltrey.
Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while there also honours for teenage darts star Luke Littler and his rival Luke Humphries as both are made MBEs.
Actor and singer Elaine Paige and novelist Pat Barker have been given damehoods.
Beckham, who has been in the running for a knighthood for more than a decade, said in a statement: "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 receive such a truly humbling honour.
"To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true."
He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in the 2014 New Year's Honours list but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.
In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was eligible for a knighthood.
The day before Beckham was given the honour, he was seen chatting with the King at a St James's Palace ceremony for the monarch's foundation, of which the retired footballer is an ambassador.
Beckham, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, is a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.
Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognised for services to charity and music, having been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000.
"It's strange, it's an experience that I've never had before, I'm very humbled by it," the 81-year-old told PA.
Daly, 56, who has co-presented Strictly since 2004, and Winkleman, 53, who fronts the hit reality TV show The Traitors, have been honoured for their services to broadcasting.
Paige, 77, was also honoured for her services to charity and music, and told PA of her "shock" at being made a dame.
"I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once. I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in," the West End legend said.
Paige has presented her BBC Radio 2 show for more than 20 years and has senior roles at two charities - The Children's Trust, a charity for youngsters with acquired brain injury and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.
Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the fantasy franchise, was recognised for his services to drama.
The Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Darkest Hour.
The top gong goes to Antony Gormley, the sculptor behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.
There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.
More than 1200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.
Former England football captain David Beckham "never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour" after being knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.
Beckham, who was made an OBE in 2003, receives a knighthood alongside actor Gary Oldman and The Who singer Roger Daltrey.
Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while there also honours for teenage darts star Luke Littler and his rival Luke Humphries as both are made MBEs.
Actor and singer Elaine Paige and novelist Pat Barker have been given damehoods.
Beckham, who has been in the running for a knighthood for more than a decade, said in a statement: "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 receive such a truly humbling honour.
"To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true."
He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in the 2014 New Year's Honours list but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.
In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was eligible for a knighthood.
The day before Beckham was given the honour, he was seen chatting with the King at a St James's Palace ceremony for the monarch's foundation, of which the retired footballer is an ambassador.
Beckham, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, is a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.
Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognised for services to charity and music, having been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000.
"It's strange, it's an experience that I've never had before, I'm very humbled by it," the 81-year-old told PA.
Daly, 56, who has co-presented Strictly since 2004, and Winkleman, 53, who fronts the hit reality TV show The Traitors, have been honoured for their services to broadcasting.
Paige, 77, was also honoured for her services to charity and music, and told PA of her "shock" at being made a dame.
"I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once. I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in," the West End legend said.
Paige has presented her BBC Radio 2 show for more than 20 years and has senior roles at two charities - The Children's Trust, a charity for youngsters with acquired brain injury and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.
Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the fantasy franchise, was recognised for his services to drama.
The Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Darkest Hour.
The top gong goes to Antony Gormley, the sculptor behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.
There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.
More than 1200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.
Former England football captain David Beckham "never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour" after being knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.
Beckham, who was made an OBE in 2003, receives a knighthood alongside actor Gary Oldman and The Who singer Roger Daltrey.
Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while there also honours for teenage darts star Luke Littler and his rival Luke Humphries as both are made MBEs.
Actor and singer Elaine Paige and novelist Pat Barker have been given damehoods.
Beckham, who has been in the running for a knighthood for more than a decade, said in a statement: "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 receive such a truly humbling honour.
"To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true."
He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in the 2014 New Year's Honours list but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.
In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was eligible for a knighthood.
The day before Beckham was given the honour, he was seen chatting with the King at a St James's Palace ceremony for the monarch's foundation, of which the retired footballer is an ambassador.
Beckham, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, is a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.
Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognised for services to charity and music, having been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000.
"It's strange, it's an experience that I've never had before, I'm very humbled by it," the 81-year-old told PA.
Daly, 56, who has co-presented Strictly since 2004, and Winkleman, 53, who fronts the hit reality TV show The Traitors, have been honoured for their services to broadcasting.
Paige, 77, was also honoured for her services to charity and music, and told PA of her "shock" at being made a dame.
"I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once. I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in," the West End legend said.
Paige has presented her BBC Radio 2 show for more than 20 years and has senior roles at two charities - The Children's Trust, a charity for youngsters with acquired brain injury and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.
Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the fantasy franchise, was recognised for his services to drama.
The Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Darkest Hour.
The top gong goes to Antony Gormley, the sculptor behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.
There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.
More than 1200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.
Former England football captain David Beckham "never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour" after being knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.
Beckham, who was made an OBE in 2003, receives a knighthood alongside actor Gary Oldman and The Who singer Roger Daltrey.
Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while there also honours for teenage darts star Luke Littler and his rival Luke Humphries as both are made MBEs.
Actor and singer Elaine Paige and novelist Pat Barker have been given damehoods.
Beckham, who has been in the running for a knighthood for more than a decade, said in a statement: "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 receive such a truly humbling honour.
"To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true."
He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in the 2014 New Year's Honours list but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.
In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was eligible for a knighthood.
The day before Beckham was given the honour, he was seen chatting with the King at a St James's Palace ceremony for the monarch's foundation, of which the retired footballer is an ambassador.
Beckham, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, is a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.
Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognised for services to charity and music, having been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000.
"It's strange, it's an experience that I've never had before, I'm very humbled by it," the 81-year-old told PA.
Daly, 56, who has co-presented Strictly since 2004, and Winkleman, 53, who fronts the hit reality TV show The Traitors, have been honoured for their services to broadcasting.
Paige, 77, was also honoured for her services to charity and music, and told PA of her "shock" at being made a dame.
"I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once. I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in," the West End legend said.
Paige has presented her BBC Radio 2 show for more than 20 years and has senior roles at two charities - The Children's Trust, a charity for youngsters with acquired brain injury and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.
Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the fantasy franchise, was recognised for his services to drama.
The Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Darkest Hour.
The top gong goes to Antony Gormley, the sculptor behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.
There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.
More than 1200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.
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John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." 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We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it." John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." The late rock star David Bowie and The History Boys writer Alan Bennett famously turned down knighthoods. "Just look at those men who have turned down awards and titles: David Bowie, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and Albert Finney," Cleese said. "I have respect for them." Cleese admits his political beliefs are still on the left when it comes to the distribution of wealth, despite him presenting a show on the right-wing TV channel GB News. "I'm more to the left economically," he said. "I think greed is in danger of killing everyone. "People should be paid good salaries, where possible. We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it." John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." 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John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." 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Sir David Beckham's mother can't stop crying after knighthood announcement
Sir David Beckham has revealed his mother couldn't stop crying over his knighthood. On Friday (13.06.25), the retired football legend was named in the King's Birthday Honours ahead of an official ceremony, and he has opened up about his mother Sandra's reaction after they enjoyed a lunch at Tony's Pie and Mash in London. He wrote on Instagram: "Lunch with Mum , haven't seen her since the news... "Mum cried when she arrived , cried during lunch and cried when I was leaving x special moment for us all. "Love you mum x @sandra_beckham49 (Dads next) (sic)" Sandra admitted she felt "emotional" having people approach her son to offer their congratulations using his new title. She commented under the post: "Love you more... was emotional people saying congratulations Sir... see tears again (sic)" David is married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven with her. The Manchester United legend - whose wife will now be known as Lady Victoria Beckham - has been given the honour for services to sport and charity. Victoria wrote on Instagram after the news: "You've always been my knight in shining armour, but now it's official. "Sir @davidbeckham!!! What an honour, I couldn't be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most — your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family — has never wavered. "The way you've touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday. "But above all else, I'm so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx" In 2003, he was given an OBE by the late Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former England captain has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour.
