The ex-England captain and global icon David Beckham has a dazzling royal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hanging in his office – an image of the late Queen in full regalia with her blue sash of the Order of the Garter, complete with Burmese tiara.
It is no secret that Beckham has a deep love for the royals, however, it is said there is an unexpected reason Beckham has this particular portrait.
The image was taken in 1992 by the legendary snapper Terry O’Neill. This year was a memorable one for David Beckham as the footballer made his debut for Manchester United.
Emily Ferguson, royal editor of the Daily Express, has written about it in her new column ‘Emily in Palace’.
She said: “Hanging the photograph in his office serves as a fitting reminder of the start of his illustrious professional career and a sweet tribute to the Royal Family, with whom he has become increasingly close.”
David Beckham has always been vocal about his adoration for the Royal Family. In 2003, David received an OBE for services to football, a special moment he shared with his grandparents.
Speaking of the moment, he once said: “To receive my OBE, I took my grandparents with me – who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the royal family – and obviously I had my wife there as well.
“To step up, to get my honour – but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk. I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life, to be around Her Majesty. Because we can all see with the love that has been shown how special she is and how special she was, and the legacy that she leaves behind.”
He described her passing on September 8, 2022, as a “sad day”, but one to remember the “incredible legacy” left behind.
The athlete also joined the queue to see her body lying in state along with other members of the public, following her death.
Last year, David Beckham and King Charles even compared “beekeeping tips” when they met ahead of the ex footballer being named a King’s Foundation ambassador. The former England captain was confirmed as an official supporter of Charles’s charitable organisation after he met the monarch privately to learn more about its work.
In photographs released to mark the announcement, Beckham is pictured with the King on the doorstep of Highgrove, Charles’s Gloucestershire retreat.
Speaking of the Foundation, Beckham said: “I’ve always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the foundation’s education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.”
Beckham also supported Prince William at RAF Northolt to mark the end of the London Air Ambulance’s ‘Up Against Time’ appeal that raised £16m for two new helicopters in October 2024. The two new H135 helicopters are set to ensure the medical team can continue to provide their vital services across London.
