Arise, Sir David: Football Legend Honoured by the Monarch at Royal Windsor Investiture
The football icon was bestowed with a knighthood at the historic royal residence on Tuesday. The former England captain, fifty, was one of the individuals receiving awards for his services to athletics and philanthropy. In recent months, he stated he was “immensely proud” of being acknowledged in the King’s birthday honours.
Football Career Highlights
Beckham first appeared in England's top division for the Red Devils in 1995 and was part of the team that secured a dramatic European Cup win in 1999 when they defeated the German giants with two late goals.
In total, he netted 85 goals and collected honours including six Premier League titles and two FA Cups as a soccer professional, before retiring from the sport in 2013. Alongside his football career, he has backed a number of charity causes, including acting as a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian aid organisation the United Nations Children's Fund since the mid-2000s.
David Beckham, with his wife Victoria, after receiving his knighthood at an investiture ceremony at the royal venue.
Philanthropy and Beyond
In the previous year, Beckham, who has referred to himself as a “devoted monarchist”, was named an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the King in the early nineties. In the late nineties he was declared most stylish man of the year by GQ magazine and he has modelled for companies such as H&M, the Italian designer, and Boss.
Beckham tied the knot with Victoria in 1999 and the couple have four children together – Brooklyn, the second son, Cruz, and their daughter.
