In June 2025, British football icon David Robert Joseph Beckham was formally awarded a Knighthood by King Charles III during the monarch’s annual birthday celebrations, recognizing his remarkable contributions to sports and charitable causes.
- Apart from him, actor Gary Oldman and musician Roger Daltrey are among the most high-profile names to receive knighthoods in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list this year.
About Knighthood honours:
i.The honours list is prepared by the United Kingdom(UK) government and signed off by the monarch, with nominees reviewed by independent panels.
ii.The honours, awarded twice annually, recognise exceptional contributions to public life, with the latest list celebrating achievements in sport, the arts and charity.
iii.After receiving a knighthood, a man is granted the title “Sir” and his wife may use the courtesy title of “Lady” before her surname, provided she has taken her husband’s surname.
About David Robert Joseph Beckham:
i.David Beckham’s illustrious football career spanned over two decades, during which he became one of the most recognizable athletes globally. He played for top clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.
ii.At the international level, he donned the England shirt 115 times between 1996 and 2009, scoring 17 goals, and captained his country in many memorable moments.
iii.He also earned 115 caps for the England national team, captaining them for six years and becoming the only English male player to score in three different World Cups .
- He wrapped up his playing career by winning the Ligue 1 title in 2013.
iv.He was also involved in charitable work. He has served as a UNICEF(United Nations Children’s Fund) Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 and launched the “7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund” in 2015 to support vulnerable children worldwide .
v.In 2018, Beckham co-founded Inter Miami CF, a Major League Soccer team, marking his entry into football club ownership. He also established Studio 99, a content studio, in 2019.
Recognitions:
i.He received numerous accolades throughout his career, including finishing as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 1999 and twice for the International Federation of Association Football(FIFA) World Player of the Year.
ii.He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003.
iii.In 2004, Beckham was named to the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
iv.He was also inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister(PM) – Sir Keir Starmer
Capital – London
Currency – Pound Sterling (GBP)
