Inter Miami owner David Beckham has once again missed out on a knighthood in the UK’s New Year’s Honours List, sparking memories of a series of alleged leaked emails from 2017.
As well as bringing Lionel Messi to the MLS with Inter Miami, Beckham, 49, has raised huge amounts for charity and become a cultural icon, on top of his huge list of soccer achievements. Yet he has been left off the King’s New Year’s Honours List once again, 21 years after being given Order of the British Empire (OBE) recognition.
A knighthood is a highly-esteemed, individual honor that is bestowed by the Royal Family themselves. The privilege would have seen Beckham become ‘Sir David Beckham’ by the King himself. But as the Inter Miami co-owner gets snubbed again, many will recall the alleged angry emails that were believed to have been sent by him in 2017.
Victoria and David Beckham ‘shun UK’ for Christmas break with entire family
Inter Miami’s new kit leak features surprise tribute to Messi’s Argentina and Barcelona
First touting for a knighthood
On June 13, 2003, Beckham was granted an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to soccer in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Speculation has been rife in the years since about whether Beckham would be destined for a knighthood, a question which rose to prominence once more in 2013 when he appeared on Jonathan Ross’s UK chat show.
Ross asked Beckham if he was desperate for a knighthood, wrapping up the episode by saying: “I don’t see how they could possibly pass you over. How can they not give you a knighthood?”
Yet, the English icon didn’t receive Royal recognition that New Year and has been overlooked for the honor ever since, with 2024 marking another year without accolades.
‘It’s a disgrace’
In 2017, following another omission from the honors list, a series of alleged email came to light. Beckham was accused of writing that he “didn’t care about being knighted,” before lambasting the committee as “unappreciative c***s” and “a disgrace.”
While Beckham has said that some of the content had been doctored, he is also said to have criticized Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins, who was awarded an OBE in 2017, questioning: “For what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops.”
Additionally, Beckham and Ross were also accused of staging the segment on the Jonathan Ross show. It was alleged that Ross was told to ask the Miami owner about the knighthood by Beckham’s PR chief, Simon Oliveira. However, this claim has been denied by all parties involved.
Radio silence
Beckham hasn’t moved any closer to a knighthood in the years since. In 2022, he notably stood in line for 13 hours to honor Queen Elizabeth II following her sad passing, and this June, it was unveiled that he would serve as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation charity.
Beckham narrowly missed the cut for Royal recognition yet again earlier this year, as whispers of him possibly joining the King’s birthday honours over the summer ended in disappointment.
The soccer star’s lack of a knighthood hasn’t got unnoticed by the celebrity fraternity, either. Beckham was ribbed during the inaugural award ceremony hosted by the King’s Foundation, where another big name from the arts decided to tease the football icon, all in good spirits.
Rod Stewart dig
Sir Rod Stewart could not resist reminding Beckham about the lack of a ‘Sir’ before his name. Knighted himself in 2016, the British rock veteran tossed a friendly barb at Beckham, who was also attending the King’s Foundation gathering.
He said: “I am also wonderfully honored to be a knight and, David, yours is coming soon.”
Beckham took the quip in stride, responding with a sportive smile and head shake.
Beckham beyond the pitch
Venturing into new realms, Beckham has turned Inter Miami into one of the most exciting clubs in the United States. At the start of December, speculation over a knighthood reemerged after he appeared to grow closer to the King in the months after Stewart’s cheeky jibe.
Beckham and wife Victoria attended a state dinner honoring Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar a country the ex-United star was widely criticized for being paid $188 million to boost Qatar’s controversial World Cup campaign.
Nevertheless, Beckham was still described as “the perfect guest” among royal circles. But it is still another year without a knighthood for the Miami chief, who will no doubt be feeling hurt yet again.
Leave a Reply