London: When it came time to receive his knighthood, football great David Beckham knew what to do. He bent his knee like, well, Beckham.
King Charles III struck him on the shoulders with a sword blade and “Becks” transformed into Sir David Beckham.
Sir David Beckham is appointed Knight Bachelor by King Charles III during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.Credit: AP
“This is without a doubt my proudest moment,” Beckham said after Tuesday’s ceremony at Windsor Castle. “I’ve obviously been very lucky in my career to have won what I won and done what I did, but to receive an honor like this, from a gentleman, is beyond anything I ever thought I would receive.”
The honor marks the pinnacle of Beckham’s effort to rehabilitate his image following events that at times alienated him from fans during a long and distinguished career. He has also had a very public persona as a model, husband of Victoria “Posh” Beckham of the Spice Girls and Bend it like Beckham muse of cinema.
The 50-year-old was knighted for his services to sport and charity, having helped UNICEF, the United Nations children’s fund, for two decades and campaigned with a charity working to eradicate malaria. He also played a pivotal role in London being awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, author of What’s left of the day, who was previously knighted, was recognized at Tuesday’s ceremony as a Companion of Honor of literature. Renowned singer and musical actress Elaine Paige received the title of dame, the female equivalent of the knighthood.
Sir David Beckham, with his wife Lady Victoria, after being made a Knight Bachelor.Credit: AP
Beckham is the only English footballer to have scored in three different World Cups, and his career included the triple campaign of 1999, when Manchester United won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
With 115 appearances for England, Beckham is third on the all-time list. He also captained the team 59 times.
