The King and David Beckham have reunited for the first time since the former football star received his long-awaited knighthood.
Charles, 77, awarded Sir David the honour at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in November. It means he is now known as “Sir”, while his wife, Victoria Beckham, has the title of “Lady”.
Five months later, and the duo, who have become close friends over the years, have reunited for an important cause. They were joined by gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh CBE and Frances Tophill at Highgrove to rubber-stamp the designs for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
In pictures taken last week, Sir David and the King were seen greeting each other as old friends, getting on better than ever as they cracked jokes as official photographs were taken.
An exciting project
The special meeting at Highgrove, the King and Queen’s family residence in Gloucestershire, saw them put finishing touches to the garden design, as part of their work with the King’s Foundation Curious Garden project.
It was agreed that the garden will be home to a beehive, inspired by Sir David and Charles’s passion for beekeeping – a hobby also beloved by the Princess of Wales.
“The group are united by a love for gardening and the outdoors, and the hope that a new generation of young people will consider careers in horticulture in their future,” a press release read.
© The King’s Foundation / Courtney Louise PhotographySir David said afterwards: “Both The King’s Foundation and the RHS do such great work in protecting and promoting green spaces across the UK. I want to help encourage a new generation to appreciate the benefits of nature and get involved in gardening. It’s been fun to be a part of creating the Curious Garden and I’m excited for people to see it at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”
David Beckham’s close bond with the royal family
© The King’s Foundation / Courtney Louise PhotographyDavid Beckham finally received his historic knighthood in November after years of waiting, having first been put forward for the honour in 2011. He was joined for his big day by his supportive wife, Victoria, and his parents, Ted and Sandra.
The King and Sir David are known to share a love of gardening, with David even gifting the monarch with a pot of his homemade honey in 2023. The King invited him to Highgrove in June 2024, where he asked him to join his Foundation.
The ex-footballer is a self-proclaimed royalist and famously queued for 13 hours with the public for the late Queen Elizabeth’s lying-in-state in 2022.
He and Victoria have attended the weddings of Prince William and Kate, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with the royal women often seen wearing Victoria Beckham designs.
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