Sir David’s VERY strong connection with King Charles and how he’s defied merciless ribbing from close friends and even his wife to revel in his new found status as Lord Becks of Great Tew

Among the trophies and soccer jerseys adorning his £10 million Cotswolds home, it’s noteworthy that David Beckham treasures a common walking stick as one of his most valued items.

On weekends, he often takes this handcrafted wooden walking stick adorned with a pheasant’s head on its handle for strolls across the estate in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.

Since my wife Victoria and I purchased our Grade II-listed converted barn back in 2017, I’ve taken on a more rustic aesthetic, and the stick has become an essential element of that ‘country gentleman’ style that I now embrace.

In the past, David was often seen wearing sarongs in the late 1990s; nowadays, you’d find him donning wax jackets, tweed, and a classic flat cap. Maintaining his image is something David has always given careful thought to.

My buddy put it this way: “David always strives to look stylish, whether he’s wearing his wax coat or boots. He cares about his appearance even during casual activities like gardening, wanting to present himself well in any situation.

1. He fits the role perfectly as well. Across the spacious estate of the couple lie apiaries, his cherished hens, and an expansive garden where David cultivates kale with immense care, taking special notice of his radishes.

2. He performs his duties just as expected. On the vast property belonging to the couple, you’ll find hives for bees, his favorite chickens, and a vegetable patch that David tends with great enthusiasm, taking particular satisfaction in growing kale and radishes.

3. He embodies the role perfectly too. Upon the extensive grounds of this couple reside apiaries, his beloved hens, and a vegetable plot where David cultivates kale with pride and takes special care of his radishes.

4. He plays the role to perfection, as well. On the expansive property owned by the couple, you’ll find hives for bees, his favorite chickens, and a vegetable patch in which David grows kale with immense care, taking particular pride in his radishes.

5. He fills the role admirably, also. Across the sprawling estate of the couple, one can find apiaries, his cherished hens, and an expansive garden where David cultivates kale thoughtfully and takes special care to grow the finest radishes.

Apart from what people say, he’s remarkably skilled at his latest pastime – marksmanship. This talent has left his seasoned rural companions quite astounded.

According to a friend, life without football seems quite pleasant for David, and it appears that he applies the same dedication and precision to everything he undertakes, including this new phase of his life.

However, as expected, this extensive makeover has sparked plenty of teasing comments from his long-time football companions, even from his ex-Manchester United comrades Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.

It’s common knowledge that even Victoria finds amusement in subtly poking fun at his rural mannerisms. However, brace yourself for the increased teasing he’ll encounter now. Last week, David’s transformation peaked when he was crowned with a prestigious title, which undoubtedly will bring on more jests.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but feel exhilarated about being the most recent guest editor for Country Life, a publication that has been synonymous with the aristocracy of the hunting, shooting, and fishing community for so long.

David is responsible for supervising the October edition as it commemorates Country Life’s 50th anniversary. Interestingly enough, David himself celebrated his 50th birthday recently, adding an extra layer of honor to this assignment.

He mentioned his excitement about contributing to a project that will honor and commemorate the significance of the countryside and the grand British scenery, which holds special meaning for him and his family.

Without a doubt, the honor – similar to guest-editing Vogue for any fashionable individual with pride – is sure to seem like the final sweet touch on the social-ascension pie for the Beckhams.

Previously, the King has been a guest editor for the magazine on two occasions – firstly for his 65th birthday in 2013 and later again for his 70th birthday in 2018. The Princess Royal took charge of an issue to celebrate her 70th birthday in 2020, whereas the Queen, at that time known as the Duchess of Cornwall, was asked to edit the publication to coincide with her 75th in 2022.

In my perspective, the profound bond I’ve formed with Charles revolves around our mutual love for the enchanting landscapes of Britain.

In a self-titled Netflix documentary released in 2023, David shared that he considered himself fortunate for managing his own apiary and poultry farm, enjoying walks by the lake and planting trees – an activity he engaged in with his 13-year-old daughter Harper during the lockdown period.

For both Charles and David, their personal hideaways serve as a refuge. It’s possible that this sanctuary was especially beneficial for David, given his struggles following the aftermath of his disagreement with his oldest son, Brooklyn, and Nicola Peltz.

A welcome diversion in this situation is undoubtedly the upcoming knighthood for David. Announced on Friday as part of the King’s birthday honors, it will allow Victoria to officially become ‘Lady Beckham’, fulfilling her nickname from the Spice Girls, ‘Posh’.

It’s often joked that she’s long desired this situation. Contradicting her statement about a working-class background in a Netflix documentary, David pointed out that she was chauffeured to school in a Rolls-Royne.

A friend informed me that Victoria prefers to work out in their indoor gym rather than the Cotswolds garden. They added that she often makes lighthearted fun of David’s new relationship, jokingly teasing him.

She’s known for doing it openly on Instagram, where she has a massive following. Yet, there’s no doubt that she will feel incredibly proud of David now.

Although it’s clear that David’s deep affection for rural life is sincere, it has undeniably contributed to cultivating his image as a country gentleman. In fact, just a decade ago, the idea of being knighted seemed implausible to him.

David was born at Whipps Cross Hospital, located in Leytonstone, East London. He spent his childhood in a humble semi-detached house in Chingford, Essex. His parents, Sandra (a hairdresser) and Ted (a gas fitter), were his constant companions during this time. Uncommon attire such as wax jackets and red trousers were seldom seen in their neighborhood.

His football career significantly transformed his life, and in 2013, he received an OBE recognition. The next year, he was on the verge of receiving another honor. However, questions arose when he was involved in a suspected tax evasion case, which was later determined to be legal.

In February 2017, he criticized the honors committee for taking his name off the list for a knighthood, stating that they were ‘ungrateful fools’. Beckham, known for his charisma, expressed this frustration by saying they didn’t appreciate him and added that he didn’t care about receiving a knighthood.

In the spring of 2023, during the British Fashion Council awards, I had the privilege of encountering the King, a moment that mercifully erased the past. Remarkably, this esteemed institution was considering me for a knighthood due to my charitable work. Seizing the opportunity, I presented him with a jar of my own creation, DBee’z Sticky Stuff – a special batch of honey I had crafted myself.

It seems the Monarch was taken aback by the gift since he didn’t know that the footballer shared his passion for beekeeping.

According to a source close to the celebrity, there’s a powerful bond developing between them. When David gifted the monarch some honey, his expression showed surprise, and his curiosity was piqued by David’s affection towards the rural landscape.

It’s not just him; even David himself has admitted this. On Instagram, he shared a photo of himself tending to flowers in his garden, accompanied by the caption, “I can almost hear my East End friends saying, ‘He’s changed.’

During the previous summer, David was cordially invited by the King to visit Highgrove. There, Charles warmly guided him through his cherished gardens, showcasing stone carvers on the estate and artisans who crafted furniture and textiles. Additionally, he appointed David as an ambassador for his Foundation, dedicated to preserving nature and fostering a sustainable future.

As an ardent admirer, let me share my feelings: Being graced by the royal acquaintanceship has left me beaming with pride and overflowing with joy. A confidant of mine elaborates on this encounter: David, hailing from a humble working-class background where the tranquility of nature was an uncharted territory, found his passion for it in later life. This fascination caught the King’s attention, making their shared appreciation all the more intriguing.

The encounter between Charles and David provided ample topics for conversation. In fact, Charles was taken aback by David’s extensive knowledge, finding it quite delightful. Their conversation went on for a considerable amount of time.

Last month, David encountered the King at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sharing a common interest. The two also met recently at St James’s Palace, with David having an audience with the Monarch following the King’s Foundation Awards event.

The friend commented, “David’s change is truly impressive and refined – not many can achieve such growth, but he has certainly come a long way in all these years.

To put it simply, I’ve been reflecting on some challenging episodes that potentially could have significantly tarnished David’s esteemed reputation. For instance, the red card incident against Argentina during the 1998 World Cup led to severe death threats. Moreover, there were allegations levied by Rebecca Loos suggesting unfaithfulness towards Victoria, which he had to confront.

Lately, news headlines have been centered around the strained relationship between the Beckham family, particularly Brooklyn, and it seems that a resolution may not be imminent.

However, as David anticipates another encounter with the King later in the year for his investiture, there are numerous topics they can delve into: such as methods for gathering honey and the most effective organic fertilizers.

It’s all a long way from Match Of The Day.

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2025-06-15 03:21