Former England and Manchester United legend David Beckham has described the Queen as the ‘number one leader’.
Speaking in ‘Our Queen at 90’, an ITV documentary that marks the Queen’s 90th birthday, the 40-years-old said that when looking up to a role model, the monarch is the best example to follow.
‘’We all look for role models, we all look for leaders. I’m privileged and proud that we have the number one leader.’’
Beckham also recalled how he felt the moment he received his OBE from the Queen back in 2003, which he was awarded for his services to football.
‘’Collecting my OBE was one of the proudest moments.
That day was special for me because I brought my grandparents with me, it made me proud that I could bring them to somewhere that they worshipped for their whole lives.
Meeting the Queen, it doesn’t get any better than that. You can feel the emotion, I can personally feel the emotion, because I just love everything about our Queen and what she represents.’’
The football icon, who retired in 2013, has previously expressed his pride to join the Queen’s Young Leader Award, which celebrates Britain’s and the Commonwealth’s outstanding business talents.
Speaking at the time, Beckham said his grandparents would have been so proud of him sitting next to the Queen for a family photo at Buckingham Palace.
The two-hour documentary celebrates the extraordinary life and work of the longest-reigning monarch. It features members of the royal family who give insight into life with the monarch ahead of the landmark birthday next month.
Excerpts emerging from the documentary reveal details about the sovereign’s private life and her relationship with her family, through contributions from key figures including the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prime Minister David Cameron.
Our Queen at 90 will be broadcast on Easter Sunday at 20:00 on ITV.
Wow – how refreshing to hear such wonderful comments from a sports figure (I’m in America). The Queen truly is an amazing leader.