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David Beckham has revealed the surprising way his children responded to news of his knighthood.

The former footballer, 50, received his knighthood from King Charles at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in November 2025, after being named in the King’s Birthday Honours list earlier that year.

Beckham was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife Victoria and his parents Sandra and Ted, while his three younger children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, celebrated with him afterwards.

His eldest son Brooklyn, 27, who confirmed his estrangement from the rest of the family in a bombshell social media statement in January, was not in attendance.

In an interview with TalkSPORT, the footballer told hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent that his children had asked him whether they would benefit from his new status as a knight of the realm.

Beckham received his knighthood from the King in NovemberBeckham received his knighthood from the King in November (PA)

“My kids turned around to me and said, ‘Dad, do we get any privileges, like, any more?’” he said.

“I was like, ‘well, apart from the ones that you’ve already got, absolutely not,’” he added.

The sports star also gave youngest son Cruz’s music career the seal of approval, telling the hosts: “I’m very proud of him because he’s worked really hard.”

The Beckham family, minus Brooklyn, pictured in DecemberThe Beckham family, minus Brooklyn, pictured in December (Getty Images)

Cruz has recently embarked on a UK tour with his brand The Breakers, with The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor hailing him as “an adept guitar player” who “clearly has a genuine enthusiasm for music”.

Romeo, meanwhile, has dabbled in catwalk modelling, while teenage Harper is reportedly gearing up to launch a beauty brand.

Earlier this month, David and Victoria extended birthday wishes to Brooklyn in the wake of his dramatic Instagram statement, in which he claimed that they prioritised “Brand Beckham” above all else.

The couple shared childhood photos of their oldest child on Instagram to mark the occasion, with messages stressing their “love” for him.