Former England and Manchester United star David Beckham was said to have lost out on a previous chance to be knighted after several controversial emails were leaked from years prior
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
13:09, 02 Nov 2025
David Beckham was finally awarded his knighthood this year(Image: Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
David Beckham appeared to have scuppered his prospects of securing a knighthood following the emergence of a series of explosive emails.
The former footballer was eventually granted his wish this summer when he was at last bestowed with the prestigious honour after years of waiting. Nevertheless, the Inter Miami co-owner could have received his ‘sir’ title much sooner, were it not for a collection of contentious emails allegedly dispatched from the footballer to his long-time PR representative Simon Oliveira.
Beckham, 50, was reportedly cleared to be awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List for 2022. Yet, this failed to materialise due to the emails that originated from 2017.
The Manchester United icon is purported to have branded the honours committee “unappreciative c***s.” He also supposedly declared that he didn’t genuinely “care about being knighted,” whilst the former Real Madrid winger is said to have questioned why opera singer Katherine Jenkins was bestowed an OBE.
“For what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops,” Beckham is alleged to have asked regarding Jenkins receiving the honour, which she was awarded in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List.
After his rejection, Beckham is also reported to have said: “I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.”
Beckham was included in King Charles’ Birthday Honours(Image: Chris J. Ratcliffe – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
At the time, Beckham’s representative dismissed the reports, branding them misleading and founded on manipulated material. They said: “This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third-party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture.”
A close associate of Beckham also maintained that some of the emails had been “doctored” whilst others had been penned “in the heat of the moment.”
Beckham did secure an OBE of his own in 2003. Nevertheless, the leaked emails were purportedly sent following his rejection for the superior honour. Despite the furore, Beckham was acknowledged in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his contributions to Sport and Charity this year.
Commenting on the accolade, he expressed that he was “humbled”. He continued: “I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.
David and Victoria Beckham have strong bonds with King Charles and the Royal Family(Image: Getty)
“It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”
Beckham, who earned 115 caps for England and skippered the Three Lions, has maintained his significant charitable contributions. He has also developed a strong bond with King Charles through the years.
David’s partner, Victoria, subsequently wrote an affectionate tribute to her husband, expressing her pride in his new knighthood. The Instagram post also referenced the star’s commitment to his family.
Victoria, 51, shared a photo of her planting a kiss on a grinning David’s cheek, captioning the post: “You’ve always been my knight in shining armour, but now it’s official. Sir @davidbeckham!!! What an honour, I couldn’t be prouder of you.
“Your dedication to the things that matter most – your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family – has never wavered.
“The way you’ve touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday. But above all else, I’m so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx.”
