After several weeks in the US following the World Cup, the Beckham clan’s summer is still unfolding in unapologetic style. One moment they were celebrating Spain’s victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the next, they were snapped soaking up the high life aboard their yacht in Ibiza. Not bad for some, right?
Yet even vast fame and fortune can’t shield you from family turmoil – a lesson David, 51, and Victoria, 52, have faced head-on this year. Since eldest son Brooklyn, 27, publicly cut ties with his high-profile parents in a blistering Instagram post in January, the divided family have narrowly avoided crossing paths several times. In June, football icon David was accompanied by Victoria and their other children – Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 15 – as he accepted a star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame. Conspicuously absent were LA-based Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, 31, though Harper was later seen arriving at their home in what appeared to be an effort to rebuild bridges. It was subsequently revealed that Brooklyn and Nicola were in New York watching some of the World Cup matches rather than joining the wider Beckham family.
The most recent near-encounter, however, is likely to sting the famously family-oriented couple even more. While David and Victoria relaxed aboard their yacht in St Tropez (like we said, not bad for some), Brooklyn and Nicola were reportedly just 75 miles away in Nice, spending time with Brooklyn’s godfather, Elton John, and his husband David Furnish on their luxury boat. Elton and David have long been close to the Beckhams, often holidaying and marking milestones together.
Music legend Elton, 79, is known as a diplomatic figure among celebrities, and reports suggest he remains neutral in the Beckham rift – despite recently spending more time with Brooklyn and actress Nicola. Last summer, he hosted the pair at a Cannes beach club in hopes of smoothing tensions, and in March, he was seen in deep conversation with them at his Oscars viewing party.
A source recently said of the Beckham family rift, ‘Nothing has changed. That is to say, neither party has reached out to the other. It’s devastating and, of course, David and Victoria would love nothing more than for their eldest boy to be with them on holiday.
Instead, Brooklyn is living it up in the South of France with Elton, who has previously tried playing peacemaker – albeit to no avail. Elton loves Brooklyn dearly and understands better than anyone the pressures of fame and families falling out.’
The insider added that the Your Song singer has attempted to speak with both camps but ‘respects Brooklyn’s wish for silence’.
Matters grew more awkward shortly after Brooklyn and Nicola were photographed with Elton, who also happens to be Romeo’s godfather, and David, 63. The couple later went ashore for a meal in St Tropez at the same time as David and Victoria, with photographers reportedly capturing the two pairs at hot spots just a five-minute walk from each other.
Previously, another source alleged that David was angered with his wife of 27 years, believing she had encouraged Elton’s latest attempt at reconciliation.
We were told, ‘David was unaware that Victoria had been trying to rope in Elton to meet with Brooklyn and try to talk some sense into him. She was orchestrating this plan, and David found out.
‘He’s absolutely fuming with her for meddling and stirring the pot, especially while they’re supposed to be relaxing. He also feels like Elton’s involvement would only complicate things and thinks Victoria poking the bear is a massive mistake.’
Whispers of discord first intensified after Brooklyn and Nicola married in April 2022. Although talk of tension eventually cooled – with Nicola appearing close to her in-laws – speculation flared again in 2025 amid claims Brooklyn and Romeo had clashed over Romeo’s relationship with Kim Turnbull. (Reports alleged Brooklyn and Kim had once dated, though younger brother Cruz dismissed this online.) Brooklyn and Nicola were soon absent from key Beckham events, including David’s 50th birthday, and the Beckhams did not attend the couple’s vow renewal last August. By December, Cruz denied rumours that David and Victoria had unfollowed Brooklyn, writing, ‘My mum and dad would never unfollow their son.. Let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked… as did I.’
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Just weeks later, Brooklyn set social media ablaze with his notorious six-page statement, delivering a series of explosive claims about his family and declaring he had no intention of reconciling. He alleged his parents prioritised ‘Brand Beckham’ and disrespected Nicola, and even claimed Victoria hijacked the first dance at his wedding, dancing ‘inappropriately’ with him. Brooklyn further asserted that David and Victoria ‘repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name’ ahead of the ceremony. He later stated, ‘I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.’
David and Victoria did not issue a formal rebuttal, though in April the former Spice Girl commented, ‘We’ve always tried to be the best parents that we can be. And you know, we’ve been in the public eye for more than 30 years right now, and all we’ve ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children. And you know, that’s all I really want to say about it.’
When asked about the ‘vicious’ reporting surrounding his family’s alleged ‘strife’ and its impact on those close to him, David responded, ‘To be honest, I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter. That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.’