BECKHAM 'HUMBLED' TO BE KNIGHTED

Footballer has a warm relationship with the King and says his family will be overjoyed as they adore the royals

- LAURA BENJAMIN

Sir David Beckham has spoken of the “truly humbling honour” of being awarded a knighthood by the King in his Birthday Honours List. The 50-year-old former England football captain, who has established a warm friendship with His Majesty, was given the honour for services to sport and charity.

His wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, who was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to the fashion industry, will now be known as Lady Beckham.

“Growing up in East London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour,” an elated Sir David said.

“To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.”

The star retired in 2013 after playing 115 times for England. During his club career he played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, The King and Queen exchanged kind words with David at the Chelsea Flower Show last month.