David Beckham Earns Britain's Most Prestigious Honor, Joining Elite Circle of Recipients

David Beckham's extended quest for a British knighthood has reached its fulfilling end, with the former England skipper receiving official recognition from King Charles during a ceremony in Berkshire on Tuesday.

Now serving as co-owner of Inter Miami, Beckham—or Sir David—emerged as one of English football's initial modern-era icons at Manchester United.

Progressing from the academy system, Beckham established his presence in the midfield position, securing six Premier League championships, two FA Cup victories and the 1999 Champions League crown. During that campaign, the dead-ball expert claimed runner-up honors in the Ballon d'Or, the yearly award recognizing the world's finest player.

Beckham later transferred to Real Madrid following a disagreement with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, bringing his star power to an assembly of brilliant talents in the Spanish metropolis. The 115-appearance England representative then relocated to LA Galaxy, where he's acknowledged for single-handedly elevating Major League Soccer (MLS) into the worldwide phenomenon it represents today.

Through his position as Inter Miami's co-owner, Beckham contributed to MLS's second major growth phase by facilitating Lionel Messi's arrival.

Nevertheless, Beckham earned his knighthood through contributions extending beyond football.

Why David Beckham Has Been Knighted

Beckham received the opportunity to bow before England's monarch due to his "contributions to athletics and charitable work." The 50-year-old has served as a goodwill representative for humanitarian organization UNICEF since 2005.

In a move that likely enhanced his knighthood prospects, Beckham was also appointed as an ambassador for the King's Foundation in 2024.

Every Footballer With a Knighthood

Just 16 former British footballers have ever received knighthoods—including the broad classification of cricket legend Ian Botham, who did feature in 11 league matches for Scunthorpe United.

This exclusive group has grown not only with Beckham's addition, but also former England coach Gareth Southgate earlier this year.

Information via BBC Sport. No honorary knighthoods included and players must have made at least one appearance in Britain's professional leagues.