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Royal News

David Beckham on his special friendship with the royals

David Beckham opened the curtain on his friendship with Prince William and the royal family in a new interview at the World Economic Forum, telling those in attendance that whenever William sends him a message asking for help, “it’s always a yes.”

The former football star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador is in Davos, Switzerland on behalf of UNICEF and talk turned to the Royal Family. Beckham said, “I always get emotional talking about anything that I do with our Royal Family. I was brought up in a household that adored and loved everything that came with the Royal Family.”

Perhaps most notably, Beckham was one of the few public figures who queued to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall in September 2022, standing in line for 13 hours with members of the public rather than skipping the queue.

He also revealed his mother burst into tears when she found out that her son would be involved with King Charles’s King’s Foundation. “She knows my grandparents would have been proud that I have played such an important role in the Royal Family and the charities that they have.”

Beckham shared how he and King Charles share similar interests: “He’s into bees, I’m into bees. He’s into the countryside, I’m into the countryside, and he’s into empowering young people. So I’m very honoured with that role.”

David Beckham’s friendship with William has existed for at least the past two decades. They both worked on England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup back in 2010; and David and Victoria were guests at William and Catherine’s wedding in 2011.

The royal has since involved Beckham on many projects he works on, most recently fundraising with the London Air Ambulance Charity to secure new helicopters. Beckham said: “To be involved in that has always been a yes for me. Whenever the Prince of Wales sends me a message and says I need you to do this or be there, it’s always a yes.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS is now available.