Last week David Beckham became Sir Golden Balls after an 11-year wait during which time he dubbed the honours committee ‘a bunch of unappreciative’ you-know-what’s in an email
Prince William was reportedly left “hurt and angry” after Sir David Beckham’s knighthood put him in the shade. The Prince of Wales has spent this month in Brazil for his signature eco-event, the Earthshoot Prize, before heading to Cop30 for the global summit.
But while William was out fighting the good fight for the planet, the nation’s eyes were elsewhere. Specifically – on footie legend David ‘Golden Balls’ Beckham, who received his long-desired knighthood last week.
Becks finally got what he wanted after essentially an 11-year-long lobbying campaign on the establishment and the time he infamously called the honours committee “a bunch of c****”.
Now one of Prince William’s pals has told The Royalist that the heir to the throne was left irritated at how much attention was being heaped on the footballing icon.
“Of all weeks,” the pal told The Royalist, “this was the one week he needed the family to be pulling for him. Instead, it felt like they were pulling against him. He was left hurt and angry.”
“The family sabotaged it from beginning to end. It was pathetic, like the worst of the bad old days.”
A former courtier told The Royalist: “David Beckham had waited fifteen years. And they had to do it this week? When you think of how gracious William had been, paying tribute to his father’s work in his speech, it’s a slap in the face.
“I’m afraid Charles still can’t bear not to be the centre of attention. If he couldn’t be at Cop30 himself, then nobody else was allowed to have the moment.”
Speaking about his knighthood, Sir David said: “To be honest, a young boy from the east end of London, born in Leytonstone, and here at Windsor Castle, being honoured by His Majesty the King – the most important and the most respected institution in the world – it’s quite a moment. This is without doubt my proudest moment.”
He added that it was a “huge honour” to be recognised for both his sporting career and for the philanthropic work he has done since he was “probably 17.”
Speaking about his drive, Sir David said he realised early on that people listen to him and that that was a “powerful tool” in the world of charity.
“I think mostly it’s because of the career that I’ve had and the teams that I’ve played for and the things that I’ve won and the respect that I’ve gained throughout my career, and I think that that is why people listen to me,” he said.
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