David Beckham Knighthood: A "Truly Humbling" Honour
The King’s Birthday Honours list has been announced, and among the notable recipients is former England football captain David Beckham, who has been made a knight. According to Sky News, Beckham’s knighthood is for his services to sport and charity.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Beckham said: "Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour." He added that he was grateful to be recognised for work that gives him "so much fulfilment".
Beckham was made an OBE in 2003, but has now finally become Sir David after being in the running for many years. Sky News reports that Beckham was close to a knighthood in 2014, but reportedly lost out after HM Customs and Revenue flagged his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme.
Other notable recipients of knighthoods include The Who frontman Roger Daltrey and Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman. Daltrey, 81, was recognised for his services to music and charity, particularly his work with the Teenage Cancer Trust. "It’s kind of weird, but I am deeply honoured to get this, especially for the charity for the Teenage Cancer Trust," he said.
The list of honours also includes several MBEs, awarded to individuals such as Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman, as well as darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Sky News reports that Daley called her MBE "the greatest surprise of my life", while Winkleman said she was "incredibly grateful" to be recognised.
Damehoods have been awarded to singer and actress Elaine Paige, novelist Pat Baker, and former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt. Paige, 77, was recognised for her services to music and charity, and said she was in "shock" at becoming a dame.
The honours list also includes several other notable names, such as Sky Group chief executive Dana Strong, who has been awarded a CBE for services to business and the media. Eleven-year-old disability campaigner Carmela Chillery-Watson is the youngest to be recognised, after helping raise more than £400,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The top accolade, the Companion of Honour, has been awarded to sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, the man behind the Angel of the North, for services to art. There can only be 65 companions at any one time.
As Sky News reports, more than 1,200 people from across the country were given honours in the latest list. The list includes a range of individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, from sport and music to charity and business.
