He shares a passion for horticulture with Charles and sported the King’s rose in his lapel.
Charles asked him: “You got it, didn’t you?”
Becks replied: “It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.”
David Beckham meets with King Charles at Chelsea Flower Show
Letters inviting recipients to accept honours are sent out weeks in advance – and one may have already landed on David’s mat at the time of their chat.
He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics.
Becks retired from playing in 2013, and his finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour.
The Beckham household will be glad of the good news amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola PeltzCredit: Getty
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The Beckhams from left to right: Romeo, Rome’s former girlfriend Kim Turnbull, Harper, Victoria, David, Cruz and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie ApostelCredit: Tim Stewart
The Sun understands he narrowly missed out on a knighthood in the New Year Honours List published in December last year.
David and his wife — who shot to fame with the Spice Girls before becoming a successful fashion designer — have an estimated combined net worth of £500million.
David also has a long history of charitable work, which will have been considered by officials on the Honours Committee.
It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty’s Foundation
David Beckham
Last year, he was formally made a charity ambassador by the King, and beekeeper Becks was buzzing with excitement at teaming up with him.
Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, which focuses on “creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony”.
Tours of the grounds help to fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts, and the former footie star met woodworking and embroidery students.
Becks said at the time: “I’m excited to be working with The King’s Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.
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Former footie ace David played 115 times for EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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David and wife Victoria have an estimated combined net worth of £500millionCredit: Instagram
“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.
“Having developed a love for the countryside I’m also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation’s work.
“It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty’s Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips.”
In 2020, he teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun’s campaign to save the Poppy Appeal amid the devastating Covid lockdown.
He said he was “in awe” of the veterans as he delivered poppies to their London HQ.
David added: “With another lockdown coming it is more important than ever that we support our veterans.”
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David teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun’s campaign to save the Poppy AppealCredit: The Sun
Becks, also dad to son Cruz and daughter Harper, has carried out lots of charity work focusing on children, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 20 years ago.
To mark his 50th birthday last month he appealed for donations for the charity.
He was also a founding member of the leadership council of charity Malaria No More in 2009, helping to eradicate the disease, even visiting No 10 to highlight the issue.
In 2023, he delighted the Brentford Penguins – a football team for children with Down’s Syndrome — with a visit to celebrate them winning one of The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards.
He took footballing son Romeo with him to lead a surprise training session.
The honours will be formally announced later this month.
The government does not comment on them beforehand.
WINNER ON PITCH AND OFF
BECKHAM enjoyed an 18-year career that included winning titles in four countries — England, Spain, the US and France — and made him one of the world’s best-known footballers. Some of his most striking moments are:
APRIL 1995: Becks makes his Premier League debut for Manchester United in a 0-0 draw against Leeds.
AUGUST 1996: Scores famous goal from halfway line against Wimbledon.
MARCH 1997: Meets Spice Girl Victoria at an Old Trafford charity match.
JANUARY 1998: Posh and Becks announce their engagement.
JUNE 1998: Plays in his first World Cup with England but is sent off in defeat against Argentina.
MARCH 1999: Has his first child, son Brooklyn, with fiancée Victoria.
MAY 1999: Wins the treble with United as they beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
JULY 1999: Weds Posh in lavish ceremony in Dublin’s Luttrellstown Castle.
NOVEMBER 2000: Named England captain for first time.
OCTOBER 2001: Celebrates as his free-kick goal against Greece takes England to World Cup, left.
JUNE 2003: Joins Real Madrid after falling out of favour with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
JANUARY 2005: Becomes a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, having previously supported its work for children.
MARCH 2005: Opens his first football academy.
JULY 2005: Helps London to win its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
JULY 2007: Joins US side LA Galaxy, before two loan moves to Italian giants AC Milan while in LA.
JANUARY 2013: Joins Paris Saint-Germain, donating wages to kids’ charity.
MAY 2013: Retires from professional football.
FEBRUARY 2015: The 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund is launched to mark his tenth year as goodwill ambassador.
JUNE 2024: Becomes a King’s Foundation ambassador.
A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15.
The gold band, engraved with the touching words “Remember me”, was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III.
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A rare royal mourning ring worth thousands of pounds which is up for auction after being bought from a charity shop in Leicester for just £15Credit: PA
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A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to makeCredit: PA
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Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.”Credit: PA
The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.”
The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection.
Mr Hanson recalled: “I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.”
Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis.
Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child.
The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV.
They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor.
“The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,” Mr Hanson said.
“White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried.
The Enchanting Jewels of Princess Diana: A Royal Legacy Unveiled
“It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.”
In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father’s hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – “remember me”.
A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make.
“This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,” said Mr Hanson.
“It’s not just the monetary value – it’s the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.”
Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition.
Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely.
Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: “It’s incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections.
“Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.”
The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection.
It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons’ Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction.
The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad.
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The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince RegentCredit: Getty – Contributor
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The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers,Credit: De Agostini – Getty
THERE was heartbreak for King Charles as his star filly was among a huge number of horses removed from the Epsom Oaks.
Top trainer William Haggas scratched Charles and Camilla’s Purple Rainbow from the year’s biggest race.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla won’t have a runner to cheer home in the Epsom Oaks – after their star filly was among a huge number pulled from the iconic raceCredit: PA
Bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Purple Rainbow had one win from three runs in the famous Royal silks.
But it looks like she is destined for handicaps rather than the elite level after finishing fourth on her return at Ascot last month.
Haggas pulled the plug on her Oaks chances during Tuesday morning’s scratching stage.
A mass of runners – 34 in all – were axed from the June 6 Group 1 over 1m4f, worth just shy of £120,000 to the winner.
Aidan O’Brien, who has won three of the past five Oaks, was among the big names removing a number of his entries.
Among the more notable of his was 14-1 chance Ballet Slippers.
The daughter of Dubawi, who finished third to current Oaks favourite Desert Flower when last seen in October, is yet to run this season.
Group 3 winner Exactly, who had been as short as 20-1, was another pulled, along with fellow 20-1 chance Dreamy.
O’Brien had previously said after her Group 3 win over a mile at the Curragh last August that he hoped she was an Oaks filly.
While Smoken, who was sent off 5-2 favourite for the Musidora at York last week before finishing a tailed-off last, was axed by Ralph Beckett.
The winner of that race, Whirl, kept her place in O’Brien’s squad.
His Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk looks the best chance of victory being as short as 7-2.
While O’Brien’s other big Coolmore chance Giselle is into 5s.
Charlie Appleby’s 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower kept her place in the race, with bookies cutting her to as short as 2-1 favourite.
While Owen Burrows’ Listed Newmarket winner Falakeyah – one of just 14 left in the race – was cut to 5s.
Epsom Oaks runners
Desert Flower Falakeyah Giselle Go Go Boots Island Hopping Janey Mackers January Lake Victoria Minnie Hauk Qilin Queen Revoir Trad Jazz Wemightakedlongway Whirl
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