After years of calls for former footballer David Beckham to finally receive a knighthood, he could be creeping ever closer as he cosied up to Prince William on a new charitable initiative.
The decorated athlete – who is England’s best known footballer and husband of 25-years to model and music icon Victoria Beckham – has had a turbulent relationship with the royals over the years that has made his potential knighthood the centre of hotly anticipated discourse.
In 2013, the 49-year-old was involved in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme which, according to the Sun, prevented the honour.
After recovering from this scandal, however, in 2017 his emails were leaked in which he allegedly complained about being overlooked and reportedly even called the Honours committee ‘c**ts’.
But the tide may be turning as the media personality has never seemed closer to the royal family.
Earlier this week, Prince William and David joined forces at RAF Northolt in west London to celebrate surpassing their joint £15million target to replace London’s ageing air ambulances.
Prince William personally approached Beckham to be the public face of the Omaze house draw, raising £4million for the charity’s Up Against Time helicopter appeal – a huge success.
‘I’m an East End boy so every time we saw them in the air it made us very proud.
‘As soon as I was asked to be involved by Prince William it was something I was very honoured (to do) in all honesty,’ David explained at the event marking the occasion.’
Prince William added: ‘This is going to have a life-saving impact.’
And fans had nothing but praise for the former England captain, sharing their renewed calls for his knighthood in the comments.
‘Time it was SIR David Beckham, I’ve never known a sportsman be more proud of his country,’ @donna.chambers.524 wrote on Instagram.
‘Working hard to get knighted!’ @mcgrr96 added.
‘David Beckham deserves a knighthood far more than most especially politicians he donated & works for many charities not taking fees where others do…’ @min.royalfan13 argued.
‘He should have been Knighted years ago. He does so much for the UK,’ @aukgal echoed. ‘What an absolutely pair of smashing chaps, we have a Prince, now we just need SIR,’ @wtraceyj agreed.
It’s not even the first time this year his knighthood (or lack thereof) has been on people’s lips.
Earlier this year he attended King Charles III’s inaugural King’s Foundation charity awards at St James’s Palace alongside Sir Rod Stewart (who was knighted in 2016).
During the event Sir Rod made a speech in which he poked fun at David’s snub, teasing: ‘I’m also wonderfully honoured to be a knight… David, yours is coming soon.’
David – who last received an OBE in 2003. and also waited 13 hours to see the late Queen’s coffin – gracefully told reporters afterwards: ‘Someone has to lighten the atmosphere in the room you know – he’s a good sport.’
As he patiently waits for the knighthood, and puts in the ground work, David has his other troubles to navigate.
His close friend, Phil Neville (whose brother Gary was the best man at David’s wedding) was recently sacked by David from his position as the manager of his American football club Inter Miami. after a string of defeats.
‘He really didn’t want to do it, he was really emotional. I was emotional too but I knew it was coming so it was probably easier for me,’ Phil said in a recent interview recounting the saga.