Former England footballer David Beckham spoke of his emotions and pride, after he was made a knight by King Charles III, for services to sport and charity. The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle, where Beckham was accompanied by his wife and parents.
00:00Former footballer David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood by King Charles III for services to sports and to charity.
00:10The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle, with Beckham speaking after it about his pride had been bestowed with the honour.
00:18You know, it's a very proud day for us as a family today.
00:22You know, I grew up in the east end of London in a very humble family.
00:26And, you know, this moment, you know, my dream was always to become a professional footballer, play for my country, play for Manchester United.
00:34And everything else that has come with that has been incredible.
00:37But today to be honoured by, you know, one of the most important institutions in the world and one of the most respected institutions in the world.
00:47You know, being an east end boy, it's a very proud day.
00:51Your family have always admired the royal family.
00:54Yeah.
00:55How big a deal is this to you?
00:57It's honestly, you know, it's really, it's quite a difficult question to answer.
01:04I've tried to keep my emotion, but it's, you know, the monarchy has always been very important in our family.
01:12You know, my grandparents, my parents, myself, my kids, the royal family have always played a huge role.
01:19I've always played, I've always had like a huge respect for our royal family.
01:23And, and especially when I get to travel around the world, because, you know, people want to talk to me about our royal family and that shows how much respect people have.
01:32And, you know, to be here today to receive a knighthood by his majesty, the king, it's, it's pretty surreal.
01:39Take us to that moment when the sword's landing on the shoulder.
01:43That's something very few people experience.
01:45What's going through your mind at a point like that?
01:47Um, I, I was just hoping that I would get it all right, because obviously you get walked through it and told what the protocol is.
01:54And then obviously, um, you know, to see his majesty, the king stood there, uh, and receiving me and, you know, um, being as elegant as he always is and charming as he always is.
02:07And, you know, it's such a, it was such a special moment.
02:10You know, I think that obviously being told that I, that I had the honor, uh, was a very special moment.
02:16But I knew today, you know, um, you know, I've, I've been lucky to, to have won things in my career and done things and played for my country and kept in my country.
02:25But without doubt, this is the moment that, um, makes me very proud.
02:29I think for a number of reasons, not just obviously my career, you know, not just getting it for the sport, but to, to get it for the philanthropic work that I do, you know, that's so important to me.
02:40And my charity work has always been work that I, I don't have to do.
02:45I, I, I do it because I love doing it.
02:48I do it because I make a difference.
02:49I do it because we make change.
02:51And in all honesty, you know, it, it's extra special to receive a knighthood for not just my sport, but the, the, the, the important work that I do with children.
03:00And given that then, does that rise to the top of the mantelpiece at home above the Premier League titles and everything else?
03:07I mean, yeah, it's nice to have six Premiers.
03:09It's nice to have six Premier League titles and obviously a few other medals along the way.
03:13But, um, this without doubt will be pride of place.
03:17You've seemed hugely emotional about today.
03:20Did you cry when you found out that you got it?
03:22Um, I cried, you're, you're making me emotional.
03:25Um, I cried when I first found out and, and possibly for a few months after it as well.
03:31But, um, you know, this week has been really emotional because, uh, you know, being back in London and obviously, um,
03:38I've been on the lead up to this day.
03:40Yeah.
03:41It's been, uh, not stressful.
03:42I've not been nervous.
03:44I've just been emotional.
03:45No, I, I get that from my mom.
03:47I get, I think it's because of the journey.
03:49I think it's because, you know, it's such a big moment for our family.
03:53Um, and it's, it's, it's just, it's so special.
03:57Your family have a great sense of humour.
03:59Have they been calling you Sir David at home?
04:01Are you insisting on any different sort of ways of being?
04:04I'm not insisting if they would like to call me Sir Dad or, you know, or Sir Son, they can.
04:10Um, but no, um, it's, it's, it's going to take some getting used to people saying it, but, um, no, it's, it's just a huge honour.
04:19You know, it's a huge honour to be here at Windsor Castle.
04:21It's a huge honour to receive this from his majesty, the King.
04:25And, um, you know, it's just a, it's all round a very special day for us.
04:30Would you have happily waited any amount of time for this?
04:33Absolutely.
04:34Absolutely.
04:35You know, I was just asked if, if I was relieved to get it or, um, I was, you know, I was proud and, you know, I'm just proud.
04:43I'm just proud.
04:44If, if, if, if, if, if, if, then I found a chance of leaving people's.
04:49Maybe one of them has to be on that list of these times.
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