SIR DAVID BECKHAM HIS BITTER SWEET DAY

HIS BITTERTHE SPORTSMAN’S SPECIAL HONOUR IS OVERSHADOWED BY A GLARING ABSENCE

- By Kylie Walters

Arising in front of King Charles following the formalities of his investiture ceremony, nothing could wipe the smile off Sir David Beckham's face. During what the soccer great called the “proudest moment” of his life, his wife, Victoria, and his parents, Ted Beckham and Sandra West, watched on at Windsor on November 4 as he was knighted for services to sport and charity, following a campaign of more than a decade to receive the award. "I am truly humbled and so grateful for this honour," David, 50, shared afterwards on Instagram. "I have been fortunate to represent our country and I've always done that with pride ... I love our royal family and what it means to people not just in Great Britain but around the world. I could never have dreamed that this would happen to me."

Posing outside Windsor Castle in a charcoal-grey three-piece custom morning suit, the first made by Victoria’s label, David admitted his new title was “going to take some getting used to” and joked that he would be fine with his children calling him “Sir Dad”.