00:00Good morning.
00:14Lovely. Thank you very much.
00:16Thank you very much.
00:46I think that, you know, being an East London boy, you know, growing up in Leytonstone, moving to Manchester and now stood here at Windsor Castle with His Majesty the King giving me a knighthood is something that I could never have imagined happening to me.
01:15You know, my dream as a young boy was always to become a professional footballer, play for Manchester United and represent my country.
01:23And luckily enough, I got to do that.
01:26But, you know, everything else that has come with, you know, my career and what I've done and obviously the philanthropic work that I do.
01:34You know, I think that that's what's special about today.
01:37It's not just because of my sport, it's because of the philanthropic work that I've done from a very early age.
01:42I think I was talking about it last night with my parents that I think I started, you know, charity work when I was 15, 16 at Manchester United and then obviously went on to, you know, become UNICEF ambassador and working for the Royal Foundation and, you know, the King's Foundation and Malaria No More and the armed forces.
02:00So, you know, I've been very lucky to work for very important charities around the world.
02:06And I think one of the things I recognized when I was very young is, you know, because I had a successful career, I was able to implement change with the things that I said and the things that I got involved in.
02:18And I think that's why the charity work that I do is so important to me.
02:23But, you know, the 14 year old boy from East London standing here in the castle with His Majesty the King.
02:30It's a very proud moment for me and my family.
02:32How does it feel to be a knight and receive one of the highest honours in the UK?
02:38Institutions in the world, you know, being an East London boy, it's a very proud day.
02:43Your family has always been very important in our family, you know, my grandparents, my parents.
02:49The Royal Family have played a huge role in our family over the years and we know how important our Royal Family is.
02:58And, you know, it's the most important institution in the world and the most respected institution in the world.
03:03So to be stood here today being honoured as an East End boy, you know, and to have done what I've done and be able to work, you know,
03:12with the charities I've worked with and played with the teams I've played with and the players that I've played with and the managers that I've played under.
03:20And I also want to, I want to thank the British people as well because, you know, with their support over the years, it's been, it's one of the reasons why I'm here today.
03:29So, it's a big moment.
03:31Well, actually he was admiring my suit and I actually said he was the inspiration, funnily enough.
03:45I looked at old pictures of him in his younger years and because I know how elegant he dresses and I just thought it was quite important for me to get it right.
03:57And my wife made the suit, so I was very lucky.
04:06One of the, one of the King's comments were, you know, wow, that's a beautiful suit.
04:11So I didn't get the opportunity to say my wife made it and I'm sure she'll make you one.
04:15Um, but, um, I will at some point, uh, you know, I will make that point, but, um, yeah, it's, uh, it's a very special moment.
04:24And, and obviously to have Victoria here and, and my mum and dad and, um, you know, it's a very proud day for them.
04:30And, and possibly for a few months after it as well, but, um, you know, this week.
04:36I wouldn't say it's relief. I would just say it's pride. You know, I think people have talked about it for a number of years.
04:42And I was always, I always felt so lucky to have, you know, the honor that I already had with the OBE.
04:48And I do feel, you know, very lucky to have that, but obviously to be recognized now as a, as a sir, you know, it's, uh, it's very special.
04:55Um, but there's, there's not really relief. It's just, I, I, I couldn't be prouder because I, I think people know how patriotic I am.
05:04I think people know how much we, I love my country. Um, I've always made that point. I've always said how important the monarchy has been, you know, to our family over the years.
05:14And, um, like I said, I'm lucky enough to travel around the world and, and, and go to different places around the world.
05:22And everywhere I go, all people want to talk about is our monarchy and how great they are and how respected they are.
05:27So, you know, it makes me very proud and I've always flown our flag wherever I've lived, wherever I've gone. Um, and I'll continue to do that.
05:36I think it's because, you know, it's such a big moment for our family. Um, I think someone just asked me a question about, um, is it time to slow down and is there any more to do?
05:49And actually, no, it's time to, you know, put a bit more in and, and, and do a lot more because, you know, my work with the charities that I work with, unfortunately, will, will never end because, you know, we're trying to, you know, uh, secure children's futures and, and their safety around the world.
06:06And unfortunately there's always a crisis and there's always something that's happening. So my work with charities will, will never end. Um, and with everything else, you know, there's, I think there's, there's a responsibility that comes with, you know, being honored and, and becoming a sir.
06:21Um, but I've already, I've already known that responsibility for a long time, for, for a number of years. I think that when I became a professional footballer, when I became England captain, you know, when I became a father, when I became a husband, you know, the responsibilities change and they get bigger.
06:37And I, I understand those responsibilities, but, you know, today's a, is a moment to, to kind of reflect. And I very rarely reflect on, on my past career and the things that I've done.
06:49But I think I will take today and, and save at this moment because it's a very special moment.
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