Sir David Beckham’s recent knighthood has become a bittersweet milestone for the famous family, casting a spotlight on the ongoing rift between the football legend and his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham. While the family has been showering the newly minted Sir David with congratulations and pride, Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz, have remained conspicuously silent, deepening the public perception of a fractured family dynamic.
On June 14, 2025, David Beckham was officially knighted by King Charles III, an honor recognizing his services to sport and charity. The ceremony, a crowning achievement in Beckham’s storied career, was met with an outpouring of love and admiration from his family and friends. Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl and fashion designer, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to her husband. Calling him her “knight in shining armour,” she expressed immense pride, writing, “What an honour, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most – your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family – has never wavered.”
David responded warmly to Victoria’s post, expressing his love for his entire family, including all four of his children: “I love you all @victoriabeckham, @brooklynpeltzbeckham, @cruzbeckham, #HarperSeven.” However, despite this inclusive message, Brooklyn himself has not publicly acknowledged his father’s knighthood, nor has his wife Nicola. This silence has not gone unnoticed.
Friends close to the Beckhams have said they are “not surprised” by Brooklyn’s absence from the celebrations, attributing much of the tension to Nicola’s influence. Nicola Peltz, a billionaire heiress and actress, is believed by insiders to have a controlling role in Brooklyn’s life, which has created friction with Victoria and the wider Beckham family. A source told HELLO!, “From the minute Nicola came into the family, she hasn't shown what Victoria would say is respect towards them. Tensions rose at their wedding and that situation has continued; Victoria and Nicola don't really get along. Over the past few months, Nicola has been causing things to fester and everyone to fall out.”
The feud reportedly intensified over the past year, with Brooklyn and Nicola skipping several major family events. Notably, they missed David’s 50th birthday celebrations, including a pre-birthday bash at Cipriani in Miami, a family party at the Beckhams’ £10 million Oxfordshire home, a trip to France, and a dinner at the Notting Hill restaurant Core. Brooklyn also declined to join a “boys’ fishing trip” with his father and younger brothers. Instead, the couple chose to attend the Coachella music festival during Victoria’s 51st birthday party, further fueling speculation about their estrangement.
Brooklyn’s social media activity has also hinted at the divide. In late May 2025, he posted a video of himself and Nicola riding a motorbike, captioning it with a declaration: “My whole world x I will love you forever x I always choose you baby x you're the most amazing person I know xx me and you forever baby.” This message was widely interpreted as a subtle dig at his parents, underscoring his allegiance to Nicola amid the family tensions. Additionally, Brooklyn has covered up a “Mama’s Boy” tattoo with one that echoes Nicola’s bridal bouquet, symbolizing his loyalty.
Despite the ongoing feud, David Beckham has appeared to extend an olive branch. In a statement to the PA News Agency, he reflected on his knighthood with humility and gratitude: “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.”
He continued, “Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”
However, insiders reveal that Brooklyn and Nicola only learned about the knighthood through media reports rather than from the family directly. The couple is reportedly “happy” for David but remains distanced. According to a source close to the family, Victoria and David have now “given up trying to make amends” and view the situation as it stands. “They are done speaking about it,” the insider said. “They view it as the way it is now. The ball is in Brooklyn’s court if he wants to make up.”
Brooklyn’s mother-in-law, Claudia Heffner, is said to be encouraging the couple to “take the space” amid the ongoing drama. The Peltz family has reportedly been critical of the Beckhams, and Victoria is aware of this tension. Meanwhile, David has moved from sadness and devastation to acceptance, realizing that reconciliation may not be forthcoming.
The family rift reportedly has multiple layers. Early reports indicated that Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham, his younger brother, were at odds over Romeo’s relationship with Kim Turnbull, who was previously linked to Brooklyn. Although Romeo and Kim have since split, the episode added strain. Moreover, personality clashes between Nicola and Victoria have long been rumored, dating back to Brooklyn and Nicola’s 2022 wedding, which some sources say planted the seeds of discord.
While Victoria and David’s younger sons, Romeo and Cruz, have been quick to publicly celebrate their father’s knighthood, Brooklyn remains the notable absentee. Romeo posted a joyful photo of himself dancing with his father, simply captioned, “so proud of you.” Cruz went further, sharing two congratulatory messages, including one teasing his mother with the caption, “Sir David Beckham & Lady Victoria.”
Victoria herself was seen for the first time since the knighthood at a girls’ night out with her daughter Harper, 13, attending the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ballet in London. She described the evening as “special,” sharing photos from their box at the Royal Ballet & Opera House, underscoring the family’s public unity despite the private fractures.
David Beckham is expected to have his formal investiture ceremony later this year, where he will be officially knighted by King Charles. He plans to bring Victoria and his parents, Sandra and Ted, as his three guests, with a large celebration to follow. Brooklyn and Nicola, however, are unlikely to attend, as they have reportedly not been invited.
The knighthood marks a significant chapter in David’s life, especially considering his earlier ambivalence about such honors. About a decade ago, he publicly criticized the honors committee, calling them “unappreciative” and insisting he “didn’t care about being knighted.” This makes the current celebration all the more poignant for the family and fans alike.
As the Beckhams navigate this public family drama, one can only wonder whether Brooklyn will eventually reach out to reconcile or continue to choose his own path alongside Nicola. For now, the knighthood stands as a testament to David Beckham’s legacy—both on and off the pitch—even as it highlights the complexities of family in the spotlight.
