David Beckham's admiration for the royal family goes back to his childhood, with the former footballer being a self-proclaimed "royalist". Throughout his career and his charity work, the 48-year-old sports star has met several members of the royal family. Ahead of his investiture ceremony on 4 November, where he'll be knighted at Windsor Castle, we're looking back on the footballers close relationship with the royals.
David's knighthood
The former footballer received his knighthood as part of King Charles's birthday honours, after being in line for the honour for more than a decade. David will be recognised for his contributions to sport as well as his charity work having played for England more than 100 times. His commitment to charity work spans across improving the quality of life for underprivileged children.
Although he's been considered to be a shoo-in for being knighted for quite some time now, he received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) back in 2003. After his investiture, he'll be known as Sir David Beckham, and his wife, Victoria Beckham, will be entitled to also change her name. This means the fashion designer and former Spice Girl could very well soon be known as Lady Victoria Beckham.
David's close relationship with the royals
David and his wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, have attended the royal weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Victoria's designs have also been worn by Princess Kate, the Meghan Markle and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, he queued for 13 hours to see Her Late Majesty lying in state at Westminster Hall, refusing opportunities to skip the line despite his high profile. After paying his respects to Her Late Majesty, he said: "Anytime throughout my career I've been asked to do anything regarding the royal family, Her Majesty, the princes, our King now, I have always been very willing to do that. I grew up in a family that were royalists. Today I think back to my grandparents because if my grandparents were alive they would have been here, so it’s nice to be here to celebrate with everybody the life of Her Majesty and her legacy that she leaves."
© GettyThe father-of-four met the late Queen several times, including at the opening of the 2002 Commonwealth Games and when she awarded him his OBE for his services to football in 2003. Over the years, he has also been involved in the Queen's Young Leader Award, established in 2014.
In May 2023, David attended an awards ceremony where the King celebrated British fashion designers. The former England football captain surprised Charles with a jar of home-produced honey from his Cotswolds estate. David and Victoria have reportedly shared a close friendship with Princes William and Harry over the years. During her pop star days as Posh Spice, Victoria met Harry, then 13, backstage at the Spice Girls' concert in Johannesburg in 1997.
© GettyIn the run-up to the Sussexes' nuptials in May 2018, she was one of the designers tipped to create Meghan's wedding dress, but that honour eventually fell to Clare Waight Keller, who was designing for Givenchy. Victoria said she was "honoured and humbled" when she received her OBE for services to fashion from Prince William in 2017. Meanwhile, David has shown his support for several of William and Harry's charitable initiatives through the years.
© GettyIn 2018, the former midfielder and his second son, Romeo, attended Harry's Invictus Games tournament in Sydney, Australia. In 2014, David teamed up with William to support a campaign with United for Wildlife, which aims to protect animals from illegal poaching. He also joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at William's environmental Earthshot Prize Awards in Boston in November 2022.
Best photos
See more photographs of David Beckham with the royal family in the gallery below...
© Getty ImagesBest buddies
William and David have met multiple times over the years, including on William's first overseas trip with Kate following their marrage. Here, they enjoyed a chat at the British Consul-General's residence in California.
© Getty ImagesOlympic heroes
David played a large part in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics and as the service drew to an end, he presented the torch to Her Late Majesty.
© AFP via Getty ImagesA whisper from Charles
Back in 2019, David and the then-Prince Charles crossed paths at the Our Planet premiere. During the event, the King whispered a private message to the footballer.
© Getty ImagesHoney trap
Charles and David have also met each other at the 2023 Fashion Council. While there, David surprised the King with a pot of home-grown honey!
© WireImageRetro meeting!
David has been meeting members of the royal family for years, with this meeting between the star and the late Queen taking place in 2002. Just look at David's bright blonde hair!
© Getty ImagesShared laughter
David was one of the guests invited to the inaugural King's Foundation Awards, and he enjoyed quite a laugh with the monarch.
© WireImageRoyal smirks
With a shared interest in nature, David joined William as they jointly headed to the launch of a Wildlife Trust event.
© Getty ImagesGood friends
William and David showed off their bromance once again when they visited an Air Ambulance charity. William even jabbed a finger at the former footballer as they laughed around.
© UEFA via Getty ImagesFootball frenzy
With William and David both being football fans, it's no surprise that they've met at several events. They even enjoyed a pre-match chat back in 2022.
© Getty ImagesMeeting Her Majesty
The Queen and David had another meeting in 2015 where they shook hands.
© Getty ImagesDavid and Zara
It's not just senior royals that David has met with; the former footballer also met with Zara Tindall in 2012 ahead of the Olympic Games.
© Getty ImagesOlympic memories
During the 2012 Olympic Games, William and David joined forces to cheer on England.
© Getty ImagesThe BAFTAs
William and David met up at the BAFTAs back in 2023, with the pair shaking hands together.
© Getty ImagesA shared history
As you can see, William and David's friendship has stretched back for years. Here they are back in 2010 before it was confirmed that England would be hosting the 2018 World Cup.
© Getty ImagesRecent meeting
The most recent meeting of the royals and David took place at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show. Even Queen Camilla seemed to be enchanted by the former footballer.
© Getty ImagesMeeting VB
Charles enjoyed a laugh with both David and Victoria Beckham as he hosted a reception ahead of his state visit to Italy earlier this year.
© WireImageFootball mad!
David met with both William and Prince Harry when the trip headed to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.
