OVERJOYED Sir David Beckham admitted he had been “crying for months” as he received his long-awaited Knighthood.

The ex England captain, 50, nicknamed Goldenballs by wife Victoria, was recognised by King Charles for his services to sport and charity.

Sir David Beckham admitted he had been ‘crying for months’ as he received his long-awaited Knighthood from King CharlesCredit: PA

The ex England captain, 50, showing off his medal as he was recognised by King Charles for his services to sport and charityCredit: PA
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David celebrated with wife Victoria and children Romeo, Cruz and HarperCredit: romeobeckham/Instagram
Becks said after the ceremony at Windsor Castle: “It’s been a very emotional day.”

Sir David is a very modern knight.

A heavily-tattooed, 21st century idol — one happy to admit he wept tears of joy minutes after the ceremony.

And a devoted royalist who has patiently waited in the wings as others have dropped to one knee and been honoured before him.

As children Romeo, Cruz and Harper celebrated with their famous dad, he was asked how they would now address him.

He joked: “I’m not insisting — if they would like to call me Sir Dad or Sir Son, they can.

“But no, it’s going to take some getting used to people saying it. It’s just a huge honour.”

Naturally both wife, Lady Victoria — who designed his grey, mohair wool three piece suit because David is both a style icon and a feminist — and parents, Ted and Sandra, watched on proudly.

Yet there was no sign of eldest son Brooklyn, nor his American wife Nicola Peltz, at Windsor Castle amid a family feud.

As King Charles wielded his sword, a striking orchestral version of Golden from Netflix smash K-Pop Demon Hunters played in the background.

It was, I’m told, a song chosen by the Palace and thought to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to “Goldenballs”, the nickname famously given to Becks by his Spice Girl wife.

Sir David voice-noted me from his iPhone to share his pride.

He said: “Today has been such an emotional day — more emotion than nerves, in all honesty.

“There have been a few tears and a lot of emotion.

“It’s been a very special day.

“It’s something that we can all be proud of today as a family.

“To have grown up in the East End of London, always dreaming of becoming a professional footballer, always wanting to play for Manchester United and represent my country, everything else that’s come after that has been so special.

“To have my parents there today, to have my wife there to celebrate with my children, it makes it a very emotional day.

“To receive such an important honour from His Majesty the King — one of the most elegant men, and someone from the most important and respected institution in the world.

“For me, as a boy from Leytonstone, to have stood today in front of His Majesty, knighted in Windsor Castle — it’s a very surreal moment.

“It makes it even more special to be receiving it for not just my career and my sport, but the charity work that I’ve done for a very long time.

To have grown up in the East End of London, always dreaming of becoming a professional footballer, always wanting to play for Manchester United and represent my country, everything else that’s come after that has been so special

Sir David Beckham

“We were talking about it last night actually — that all the charity stuff probably started back when I was 15 years old in Manchester, visiting young children in hospital, which was something that Manchester United always did.

“It has continued up until this day and will always continue because I always feel that there’s always going to be a crisis with children and the safety of children.

“So that important work will always continue. But today is just a day to savour as a family.”

Sir David, a Unicef ambassador for 25 years, has personally donated millions and in May organised a fundraiser for the charity.

And I’m told the star is keen to work on new initiatives helping impoverished youngsters.

Speaking from personal experience, David is the first to say “Yes” when it comes to helping others.

I have lost count of the number of charity campaigns I have asked him to back over the years.

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As King Charles wielded his sword, a striking orchestral version of Golden from Netflix smash K-Pop Demon Hunters played in the backgroundCredit: PA
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Lady Victoria designed David’s grey, mohair wool three piece suit for the occasion, the couple pictured above with proud parents, Ted and SandraCredit: PA
On one occasion we attended Great Ormond Street hospital together.

David, as he was then, had the kids mesmerised as he went around chatting and playing table football with anyone who asked.

Another time, for The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards, he and Romeo travelled to Brentford’s stadium to play with the club’s Penguins, set up for those with Down syndrome.

The duo played football with youngsters long after the sun had set, taking photos with the kids — and mums and dads.

Never patronising, Sir David treats prince and pauper alike.

For the cynics who have openly accused him of “grifting” for his knighthood, stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

He may now be worth a combined £500million alongside his wife, but not once has he forgotten where he’s come from.

Family — not fame, nor his wealth nor accolades (115 caps for his country, 19 major trophies and that World Cup qualifying goal against Greece) — are what really matters.

But he is, surely, also the only knight in history to adorn a billboard opposite Boots, clad only in Hugo Boss underpants.

Last night, Sir David celebrated surrounded by his inner circle of friends at Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin-starred Chelsea restaurant.

I’m told the chef personally hosted his pal for an intimate, three-course dinner, accompanied with Champagne and Sir David’s favourite vintage red wine.

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As a boy from Leytonestone, to have stood today in front of His Majesty, knighted in Windsor Castle — it’s a very surreal moment, said Sir DavidCredit: PA
Yet it must have been deeply cutting that the only absentee was Brooklyn.

According to pals, the 26-year-old aspiring chef “did not reach out” to his dad to congratulate him on achieving his life’s dream.

Today has been such an emotional day — more emotion than nerves, in all honesty

Sir David Beckham

He was, though, bombarded with both public and private messages of support. And, like any good knight in 2025, Sir David took to Instagram with a photo from the ceremony.

He told his 89million followers: “From Ridgeway Rovers to Manchester United to Preston North End to Real Madrid to LA Galaxy to AC Milan to Paris Saint Germain and of course England, with the best managers and team-mates and loyal fans who have helped me get where I am today — I’m so thankful to them all.

“All I have ever wanted to do is to make my family proud.

“My parents and grandparents who were always there for me and instilled the right values of hard work and respect.

“Mum, Dad, Victoria and to my Kiddies can you believe this — I love you all so much and Thank You @theroyalfamily.”

Lady Beckham, his loyal wife of 26 years, paid tribute to Sir David, saying: “You’ve achieved so much, and yet you’re still the same kind, humble, hardworking man I met nearly 30 years ago, as well as the most amazing husband and father.

“I’ve never felt prouder than I do today. Sir @davidbeckham, we all love you so much xxx.”

David’s love for the royals goes back to his childhood when he would go to Horse Guards Parade to watch Trooping the Colour with his grandparents.

And who can forget him waiting 12 hours to see the late Queen lying in state instead of joining Britain’s B-listers in the VIP queue?

While Prince William was initially thought to be carrying out the investiture, King Charles is believed to have personally intervened to ensure he would oversee proceedings.

The pair have struck up a touching friendship over the past two years, with the footballer even sending the Monarch his homegrown honey, DBee’s Sticky Stuff.

In return, the King sent Sir David a personalised gift for his 50th birthday in May.

But at his heart, Becks remains a bloke from East London who loves pie and mash, his football, and his family.

Congratulations, Sir David.

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David and Romeo surprising Brentford team the Penguins, set up for those with Down syndrome, for The Sun’s Who Cares WinsCredit: Dan Charity