November 5 – Becks has finally joined one of England’s most exclusive clubs as a Knight of the Realm after receiving his knighthood at Windsor Castle on Tuesday for his services to sport and charity.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” Beckham said. “People know how patriotic I am — I love my country. I’ve always said how important the monarchy is to my family. I’m lucky enough to have travelled around the world, and all people want to talk to me about is our monarchy. It makes me proud.”
For the man who seemingly has it all, this was the one honour missing from a glittering career on and off the field. Very few footballers have transcended the sport quite like him and the numbers and clubs he played for tell a story of a global icon – 115 England caps, 59 as captain, multiple titles with Manchester United, and more trophy-laden spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan before retiring in 2013.
In receiving his knighthood, Beckham joins a select group of footballers that includes 1966 World Cup winners Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst, men who shaped English football’s soul.
Alongside his football career, he has supported a number of charity causes, including serving as a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian aid organisation Unicef since 2005. “All the things that I do, I do out of love,” he said. “I don’t do it because I’m forced to do it, I don’t do it because I have to do it, I do it because it’s important.”
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