It was perhaps the biggest moment of David Beckham’s illustrious career in football. England needed to score against Greece in 2001 to qualify for the World Cup, and he positioned himself for a free -time free kick.
He then bowed the ball into the net, triggering joy throughout England. Narrator Gary Bloom spoke for the nation when he shouted, “Give this man a knight title!”
It took 24 years, but now he will receive him.
How do you get a knight title?
In the modern era, Knight titles are conferred by the British royal family to citizens who have achieved great success in their areas and served their country in one form or another.
“The recipients range from actors to scientists and school principals to industrialists,” says the royal family website. Now you can add “former incredibly beautiful and famous football stars.” Those who receive the knight title gain the treatment of “SIR”.
Let’s get to know Beckham’s credentials, or rather Sir David.
Beckham, 50, was an important soccer player, with a remarkable spell at Manchester United and the English team. His famous right foot had the incredible ability to bow balls through the air and put them on the net, inspiring the 2002 movie title “Bend It Like Beckham” (“Play as Beckham”).
His post-Fobblide career included the copaprise of Inter Miami, a team of Major League Soccer. He has been an ambassador to UNICEF, and his charisma helped London guarantee the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2003, he was officially appointed from the Order of the British Empire, or obe, a common initial title on the way to the title of Knight.
Who else has the title of knight?
Thousands of people, some of which you have probably heard.
One sample: Formula 1 pilot Lewis Hamilton; The tennis player Andy Murray; actors Michael Caine and Anthony Hopkins; the singers Elton John and Mick Jagger; and former first ministers Tony Blair and John Major.
This does not seem fair to women.
The female equivalent is “Dama” (Lady), and its bearers include media tymint media and actresses Emma Thompson, Judi Dench and Julie Andrews.
What happens at the Knight Nomination Ceremony?
Beckham will kneel over his right knee in a naming stool before King Charles 3, who will put the blade of a sword on Beckham’s right shoulder, followed by the left. The king would then be expected to say, “Raised, Sir Beckham.”
But disappointingly, the royal family says on their site that these words “are not used” at the ceremony.
Although Beckham’s honor has been widely reported by the British media, it is expected to be formally announced only next week. The ceremony is expected in the following weeks or months.
Isn’t Beckham close to royalty?
Yes. The princes William and Harry, the king’s children and great sports fans, lived with Beckham, who attended their marriages. He also carried out charities with Charles.
Beckham waited in line with the general public for 12 hours to pay his honors when Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was at Westminster Hall in 2022.
Still, 2013-leaking British media emails showed that Beckham had been frustrated with his waiting for a knight title.
Knight titles, dating from the Roman era in Britain, are more closely associated with the Middle Ages, when the knights were trained in battle and protected the sovereign. (The royal family notes that a knight title currently “does not imply military obligations to the sovereign”.)
Almost mythical King Arthur had his famous team of Bedivere, Galahad and Gawain. But in modern times, knights participate in significantly less adventures.
Most importantly, what does this mean to Posh?
Beckham’s wife, Victoria, pop singer and fashion designer perhaps better known as Posh Spice from Spice Girls, will also receive a title and henceforth will be known as Lady Beckham. It also has an obe, for “services to the fashion industry”. No word about future titles for Scary, Ginger, Sporty or Baby Spice.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
