🔗 Share this article Arise, Sir David: Beckham Knighted by King Charles at Royal Windsor Ceremony The football icon was bestowed with a knighthood at the historic royal residence on Tuesday. The ex-national team leader, fifty, was among those accepting honours for his contributions to sport and philanthropy. In recent months, he stated he was “immensely proud” of being acknowledged in the King’s birthday honours. Soccer Achievements The player first appeared in England's top division for Manchester United in the mid-nineties and was part of the team that earned a dramatic European Cup win in 1999 when they defeated the German giants with last-minute strikes. Overall, he scored 85 goals and garnered accolades including six Premier League titles and two FA Cups as a soccer professional, before retiring from the sport in the past decade. Alongside his football career, he has supported a variety of philanthropic initiatives, including serving as a charitable representative for global aid group the United Nations Children's Fund since 2005. The celebrated athlete, accompanied by his spouse, after receiving his knighthood at an honors event at the royal venue. Philanthropy and Beyond Last year, Beckham, who has referred to himself as a “huge royalist”, was named an official representative for the royal educational charity, an non-profit organization established by the King in the early nineties. In the late nineties he was declared top fashion icon by a leading publication and he has posed for brands like the fashion retailer, the Italian designer, and the luxury label. David tied the knot with Victoria in 1999 and the pair have four children together – Brooklyn, the second son, the third child, and Harper.