David Beckham turned 50 years old today. I didn’t know that he’s a Taurus, although it makes sense. To celebrate the big 5-0, David and his family have already been enjoying an extensive, multi-country party. Having watched David’s Netflix series, it was actually shocking to me to see how David built his brand and really changed the way a British footballer could become an international superstar. It also made me realize that David actually “deserved” a knighthood long ago. Considering the Windsors hand out knighthoods to pretty much everyone, it feels like David is being kept on a tight leash for a reason, and the snubs are purposeful. Speaking of, in most of the coverage of David’s 50th birthday, there are mentions of his longed-for knighthood. From the NY Times:

Nobody should be particularly surprised, though, by the reports this week in the UK that he has a strong chance of being awarded the knighthood that he has craved for longer than he would probably wish to remember.

Beckham will probably never be allowed to forget how his anger at being rejected for the award in 2013 was exposed four years later when his emails were hacked from a company associated with his then-representative, Simon Oliveira.

The messages, subsequently published by a variety of European newspapers, showed him taking aim at the honours committee, calling them ‘unappreciative c***s’ and insisting he didn’t ‘care about being knighted’. His exchanges also revealed UK authorities’ concerns over his tax affairs.

Now, though, it is being reported he might get his wish after all. In December, the Beckhams were invited to join King Charles and Queen Camilla for a banquet at Buckingham Palace to mark the state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Beckham, awarded the OBE in 2003, has reportedly bonded with the king over their love of making honey. He has been close to princes William and Harry for some time and stood for 12 hours in the line of people to see the late Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall. Arise, Sir Goldenballs — it just might be the birthday present he wanted above all.

[From The NY Times]

It’s interesting that the NYT is sort of like “hey, where’s his knighthood, I’m sure it’s coming soon.” People haven’t really been following how many hoops Beckham has had to jump through on this quest, and the quest isn’t over. The Telegraph also had a section in their birthday coverage about David sucking up to the Windsors:

Besides, in 2022 Beckham won back the hearts of the British public by queuing for 12 hours to view the Queen’s coffin – unlike This Morning’s infamous queue-jumpers Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. “He said to me ‘I’m going to go there at one in the morning – I don’t want to cause a fuss, and it might be quicker’,” recalls Nicola Howson, co-founder with Beckham of Studio 99 and a long-term member of his team. “I was contacted by people who said ‘Don’t worry, there are politicians who can take a guest, he can skip the queue.’ David refused point blank. He said ‘I’m going to do it like everyone else.’ He called me when he was walking up to the abbey and said ‘I’m finally getting there. I think there’s going to be cameras.’ That was the first time anyone spotted him. He did it because that’s what his granddad would have done.”

Paddy Harverson, who was Manchester United’s director of communications from 2000-4 and has served as communications secretary to the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, says it reflects Beckham’s ardent patriotism. “He’s got a very strong relationship with the Royal family. He gets on enormously well with the King, as you can see, and he’s known William for years. He’s not just turning up for a quick appearance at a royal event.”

Beckham recently became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation. Rachel Richardson, who writes the culture and trends newsletter Highly Flammable, admires his genuine passion for such philanthropic work, which also includes a long-standing relationship with Unicef, though she adds: “He’s definitely still making a bid for a knighthood.”

[From The Telegraph]

Don’t forget all of the times Prince William has sent “I need you to do this” messages to his chore monkey. Don’t forget all of the hype for David as “Prince Harry’s replacement” either. I think Buckingham Palace is going to make David wait a lot longer for that knighthood, don’t you?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.