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William and Kate at Earthshot Prize with David Beckham© Getty

David Beckham's close friendship with the royal family – all the best photos

The former footballer is a self-proclaimed 'royalist'

Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: June 12, 2025
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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.

David and his wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, have also 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 Duchess of Sussex 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."

David Beckham and the Queen at Queen's Young Leaders programme 2018© Getty
David has long admired the late Queen and the royal family

The 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.

Prince Harry and Prince Charles with the Spice Girls© Getty
Harry and Charles with the Spice Girls in 1997

In 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 of Givenchy.

Prince Harry and Meghan attend The Endeavour Fund Awards in March 2020© Getty
Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress for one of her final royal engagements

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.

The Beckhams at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018© Getty
The Beckhams at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018

In 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...

Prince William and David Beckham in suits talking to each other© Getty Images

Best 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.

David Beckham and a young girl handing the Olympic torch to the late Queen© Getty Images

Olympic 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.


King Charles speaking to David Beckham's ear© AFP via Getty Images

A 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.


David Beckham shaking King Charles' hand© Getty Images

Honey 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!

David Beckham shaking hands with the late Queen© WireImage

Retro 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!

King Charles and David Beckham laughing together© Getty Images

Shared laughter

David was one of the guests invited to the inaugural King's Foundation Awards, and he enjoyed quite a laugh with the monarch.

David Beckham and Prince William in front of a black background© WireImage

Royal smirks

With a shared interest in nature, David joined William as they jointly headed to the launch of a Wildlife Trust event.

David Beckham sitting in a helicopter while laughing with Prince William© Getty Images

Good 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.

Prince William talking to David Beckham at a football match© UEFA via Getty Images

Football 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.

The late Queen shaking hands with David Beckham© Getty Images

Meeting Her Majesty

The Queen and David had another meeting in 2015 where they shook hands.

David Beckham standing with Zara Tindall© Getty Images

David 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.

The heads of David Beckham and Prince William laughing together© Getty Images

Olympic memories

During the 2012 Olympic Games, William and David joined forces to cheer on England.

Prince William and David Beckham shaking hands at the BAFTAs© Getty Images

The BAFTAs

William and David met up at the BAFTAs back in 2023, with the pair shaking hands together.

David Beckham laughing with Prince William and David Cameron© Getty Images

A 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.

Queen Camilla and King Charles speaking to David Beckham© Getty Images

Recent 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.

King Charles speaking to David and Victoria Beckham© Getty Images

Meeting 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.

Prince William standing with David Beckham and Prince Harry© WireImage

Football mad!

David met with both William and Prince Harry when the trip headed to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

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