Muscat: The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend now holds the title “Sir David Beckham,” with wife Victoria becoming “Lady Beckham.”

After years of public speculation and anticipation, Beckham’s knighthood was confirmed on Friday as part of King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list. The accolade celebrates his illustrious football career and philanthropic work, cementing his status not just as a sports icon, but as a symbol of British soft power on the global stage.

Having earned 115 caps for England and played for clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham had previously been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003. Victoria Beckham later received the same title for her contributions to the fashion industry.

Reflecting on the honour, Beckham shared that growing up in east London in a patriotic family, he could never have imagined such recognition. He expressed gratitude for being able to engage in work that brings him both fulfilment and a sense of service.

Beckham’s elevation to knighthood is seen by cultural commentators as the culmination of a carefully cultivated global brand that seamlessly blends sport, fashion, business, and philanthropy. Marie Agnes Parmentier, a marketing professor who has studied “Posh and Becks” as a cultural phenomenon, described the title as “a powerful symbolic marker” of Beckham’s transformation from football star to global ambassador.