David Beckham blasted for being ‘indiscreet’ about Buckingham Palace tea party

PFW Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid leaving Fendi show

Yesterday, we discussed how it was Harper Beckham’s sixth birthday, and how her parents celebrated by posting Instagrams of Harper’s “tea party” at Buckingham Palace. It seems like the Beckhams were invited to the palace and allowed to bring some of Harper’s little friends, and they dressed up in princess gear and had a tea party. There was some confusion about just how this tea party happened, especially since early reports indicated that the Duchess of York helped set it up. As in, Fergie arranged it? Because Fergie can arrange anything at Buckingham Palace? It didn’t make much sense. It was confusing for royal reporters too, who tried to determine if the palace was now being rented out for birthday parties, or if Sarah Ferguson pulled a fast one on the palace staff.

The little girl also dressed like royalty for the occasion – in a blue gown like her heroine Princess Elsa from the hit Disney film Frozen. Details of the supposedly ‘private’ tea party were shrouded in secrecy until yesterday morning, when both David and Victoria Beckham decided to treat their combined 55million followers on Instagram to a series of photographs to mark Harper’s birthday.

The ‘indiscreet’ publication of the pictures – showing the youngster enjoying the run of the royal residence – caused frustration at the Palace. One image was taken by the former footballer inside Andrew’s private office with Princess Eugenie, it is understood. As the pictures went viral – being viewed several million times within hours – both the Beckhams and Buckingham Palace came under fire online. One critic wrote: ‘If you have enough money you can buy anything!!’ Another said: ‘Is this a new commercial venture by the Royal Family or do all little princesses now get an invite?’

Royal author Robert Jobson last night warned that Buckingham Palace should not be seen as a ‘party venue for millionaires’, particularly when the Queen is about to receive £370 million of public money for a top-to-toe refit.

He said: ‘It seems odd to me that if you have the money or connections then the Palace – a building funded by the British taxpayer –can be used in this way for a selected few. If it is just for the rich and famous it is simply not right. The Palace is the venue for glittering state occasions but when it is used – or misused like this – surely the public is entitled to know how it came about, who organised it, was money paid and why it is only open to rich and famous ex-footballers.’

Asked to explain why the tea party was held, a Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed the ‘private’ event. He said: ‘From time to time members of the Royal Family who reside at royal residences invite guests to visit privately.’

A royal source added: ‘Any costs in terms of refreshments were covered [by Andrew] privately.’

It is understood that both Andrew and his former wife, the Duchess of York, were at the party. Sources close to the Duchess of York insisted it was a ‘family’ event, with the invitation being extended by the whole of the York family.

‘Members of the Royal Family often invite friends for tea at the palace and the Beckhams are family friends. This was a treat for Harper and some of her friends,’ the source said. However, they admitted that the Beckhams’ decision to publish photos had not gone down well.

‘It was very indiscreet for them to have posted pictures on a public forum of what was a private family event,’ they said.

[From The Daily Mail]

So, the Duke of York and his ex-wife and at least one of their daughters (Eugenie) hosted the party and made the arrangements for Harper and her little friends. That is… sketchy. Very sketchy. I don’t necessarily blame the Beckhams – they were just trying to do something sweet and memorable for Harper’s birthday. But the fact that the Yorks arranged all of this for a wealthy celebrity does come across as rather distasteful. And of course the Beckhams posted the photos on social media!! They’re celebrities! They’re in the business of NOT being discreet. Something to think about the next time the shadiest royal figure tries to arrange some private parties at the palace for some of his other friends, you know?

David Beckham at The Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London

Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News and David Beckham’s Instagram.

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30 Responses to “David Beckham blasted for being ‘indiscreet’ about Buckingham Palace tea party”

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  1. Megan says:

    What a weird story. The Yorks threw a birthday party for Harper at Buck House?

    • Yellowrocket says:

      The sun is reporting that it was in Andrews private quarters and they had no access to the rest of the palace.

      They’re known for being bad with money so I assume they received a huge cheque from the beckhams

    • Lucy says:

      Why is this outrageous? If the Becks are family friends then they threw a birthday party for their friends daughter…and???? It would be strange and shady IF the Becks weren’t friends and this whole thing got put together but as is I don’t see an issue with any of this. David and Victoria got invited to the Royal wedding and he’s been photographed partying with Harry and William in London many times so it stands that they have probably been invited to private events in the palace several times.

      • Megan says:

        It would make sense if William or Harry threw the party, but are the Becks friends with the Yorks? I’ve never seen anything to indicate that.

      • Nem says:

        @lucy, problem is the yorks parents are notorious for selling their royal access to the highest bidder.
        So everytime they do out of the ordinary things they look suspect

    • Sarah says:

      Such entitlement all around.
      And somehow, I can’t see Fergie and Vicky being pals. 🙂

  2. Clare says:

    Sorry, I don’t blame the Beckhams. They were trying to give their kid a special experience, and then shared pictures of that special experience – I think this is fairly normal, for any parent to want to do.

    The Royals host shit like this ALL.THE.TIME. Ask anyone who went to Eaton with Harry or William. There are tales and witnesses of the debauchery that goes on that could fill a f*cking library.

    This kind of event (hosting rich folks in the royal palaces) is normal. I think the hand wringing is because the Beckhams, despite their enormous wealth, and commoners, and common enough to think it a big enough deal to post on social media about it – and you know the Royal palaces and wealth are to be exploited by the aristocracy only.

    • Tina says:

      Well, it’s also a big deal because Parliament has just voted to increase the Queen’s percentage of the Crown Estate from 15% to 25% (ostensibly to cover the repairs to BP, for which she should have been setting aside funds), and she hasn’t had to provide any concessions in terms of opening up BP to the public. There’s really only one reason why it is only open to the public in the summer months, and that’s her convenience.

      • Clare says:

        @Tina totally on the same page as you – I think its utterly ridiculous that while public sector pay is being stagnated (so, cut, in real terms), Lizzie and her broos are being handed a few extra mil to spruce up homes to which the public has *very* limited access. My point was, however, that the royals exploit these properties ALL the time – for the Beckhams to be hosted in this way is business as usual.

      • Tina says:

        Absolutely. I don’t blame the Beckhams either, although I suspect even Andrew won’t do that again. I suppose it’s a good thing in a way, it’s making the public realise how these things work.

  3. Talie says:

    Renting out Buckingham Palace for events is the future…in 20 yrs that place will probably be hosting weddings. It would certainly generate a lot of money for the country.

    • Clare says:

      And why not? If it means we have to stop paying for the upkeep of mostly private residences…make it a f*cking wedding venue, like the Seencer’s and many other aristo families have had to do with their homes/castles.

  4. Shaz says:

    A tea party for little girls! The outrage!

  5. PIa says:

    I think David’s knighthood now is less of a sure bet…

  6. Wow says:

    Somehow they will turn this story around and blame this on Will and Kate…or even Meghan. Lol. (Kidding)

    Renting out BP for little girl tea parties or weddings would actually be a good idea…once Charles becomes King. They could just regulate it to one part of the Palace for security reasons.

  7. Cee says:

    Can’t wait for Sixer and LAK to comment LOL
    Why are the Yorks always caught? I’m sure the rest of the Family do this all the time too.

    • Nem says:

      Fergie ‘s involvement may have pissed some people at the Palace?

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      They take the most and riskiest chances. Plus, public opinion is already against them so they really have nothing to lose.

    • argonaut says:

      LAK already commented on the post yesterday that it was a tea party thrown for several schools, including harper’s school, and that the beckhams had selectively posted photos making it look more exclusive than it was.

      • Cee says:

        OMG thanks. Talk about making a big deal out of something so… charming?

      • Aren says:

        My gosh, that actually makes the Beckhams come across as kind of desperate.

      • Ani says:

        Is that true though? Sarah Ferguson’s spokesperson said it was a private family event consisting of a small family tea. If it was for school children from different schools which Harper happened to attend surely they would have said that. I don’t get why there are so many different stories to this, the whole thing seems sketchy. I think it’s another case of rich spoilt kids privilege. If they didn’t have money they wouldn’t have had the tea.

  8. Jeesie says:

    I can’t imagine wanting to take my 6yr old to spend her birthday with that gross sleaze Andrew, even if it does get you into BP.

    Plus, frankly BP isn’t exactly a fairytale castle. The Beckhams could afford to host a little event in a much prettier, more fantastical setting that a 6yr old would enjoy far more.

    The whole thing seems weird. I expect some money is changing hands somehow, but I wonder what the Beckhams are getting out of that besides Instagram photo’s that make them look gauche and indiscreet?

    • D says:

      BP definitely doesn’t look like anything from a fairytale . I’m sure they could afford to rent Neuschwanstein castle instead, now that is a fairytale castle.

      • Nem says:

        Beckams seem infatuated with British royalty, and being near aristocracy must be the cherry on the cake for their social climbing. 😂
        Didn’t they have a property called beckimgham palace by the press?

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      I would have rather celebrated my birthday at Hogwarts!

  9. ickythump says:

    Yea, I wouldn’t normally bother but as a public sector worker why am I shelling out my humble pittance to get this place done up so that Beckham and his ilk can swan about in it?

  10. PrincessK says:

    The Beckham’s are desperate publicity seekers and are using their children relentlessly on social media, nothing is private as far as they are concerned or off limits. Truly terrible parenting.

  11. Rae says:

    What an absolute waste of column inches. Why is this even a story? So bloody what if the royal family invited people to attend a party??? People are really stretching to try and make a meal out of this.