English football legend David Beckham was knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. and called it his “proudest moment”. Beckham, 50, was honored for his services to football and British society, as well as his long-standing charity work. Dressed in a tailored three-piece gray suit designed by his wife Victoria Beckham, he attended the ceremony with her and his parents, Ted and Sandra Beckham.
“It’s quite a time for a boy from the East End of London to be here at Windsor Castle and be honored by His Majesty the King, the most important and respected institution in the world,” Beckham said. “This is without a doubt my proudest moment.
He added that the knighthood meant more than any of his career honors. “I think when I was told I had the honor, it was obviously a special moment,” Beckham said. “I’ve been lucky to win and do things in my career, play for my country and lead my country, but without a doubt it’s a moment I’m very proud of.”
“For a lot of reasons — not just for my career, not just for the sport, but to get it for the philanthropic work that I do, it’s so important to me,” he said. “My charity work has always been a job that I don’t have to do. I do it because I love it, I do it because I make a difference and we make a difference, and to be honest, to be knighted is extra special not just for my sport but for the important work I do with children.”
“It’s nice to have six Premier League titles and of course a few more medals on the way, but this will undoubtedly be a place of honour,” he added.
Beckham, who made his Manchester United debut aged 17 in 1992, won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two FA Charity Shields and the 1999 UEFA Champions League during his time at Old Trafford. He later joined Real Madrid where he won La Liga in his final season before moving to the United States.
On the international stage, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996, aged 21, and won 115 caps, serving as captain for six years.
Asked if he spoke to the king during the ceremony, Beckham smiled and said: “He was quite impressed with my suit.” He added that receiving the honor was particularly special as he had “always been a big fan of the monarchy”.
Stand up, Sir David Beckham.
Sir David Beckham was knighted by the King for services to sport and charity this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/BpRQJ1lIJG— Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 4, 2025
“Obviously I’ve been lucky in my career to win what I’ve won and do what I’ve done, but to receive an honor like this, a knighthood, is beyond anything I ever thought I’d receive,” he said.
Beckham has been known as “Sir David” since the honor was announced in June, while Victoria, a former member of the Spice Girls, has become “Lady Beckham”.
Reflecting on the moment, Beckham said: “It’s quite something to stand there in front of His Majesty, to receive this recognition not just for football but for the job that means the most to me. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 5, 2025
