DAVID Beckham has been named charity ambassador by King Charles – giving his knighthood credentials a boost.
The royal appointment was announced yesterday, with the emotional former England soccer captain talking about his “excitement” about joining the monarch.
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A new photograph of the pair laughing helplessly on the King’s estate – with Becks dressed as a country gentleman – has also been released.
The move comes after Sunday’s The Sun revealed last month how the pair bonded over a pot of honey during a recent private meeting at the monarch’s Gloucestershire residence.
Former Manchester United ace Becks, 49, surprised the King, 75, last year with a jar of his homemade honey and later chatted about his passion for beekeeping.
Nature lover Charles was also impressed by Beckham’s knowledge and passion for the countryside.
Now the father-of-four has been formally named ambassador for The King’s Foundation – the monarch’s charity founded in 1990.
A source said: “The King and David Beckham really bonded over similar interests.
“This is a huge thing for him and he is delighted. He is really passionate about his new role.”
The Foundation focuses on “creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony.”
Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, and the former football star met woodworking and embroidery students.
Site visits help fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts.
A new educational center was also built, providing training in traditional industries, such as carving, masonry and textiles.
Beckham, who lives in the Cotswolds with his fashion designer wife Victoria and their family, said in a statement: “I am thrilled to be working with The King’s Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work .
“I have always been interested in helping young people expand their horizons and I am particularly eager to support the Foundation’s educational programs and its efforts to ensure that young people have greater access to nature.
“Having developed a love for the countryside, I also have a personal mission to learn more about rural skills, which are so fundamental to the Foundation’s work.
“It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of Her Majesty’s Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens – and compare beekeeping tips.”
Beckham presented the royal with his gift of honey last May at a British fashion awards event in central London.
And the gift seemed to delight Charles, who has beehives on his properties.
We look forward to working with David in the coming months and years to share the Foundation’s good work with a wider audience
Kristina Murrin, chief executive of the King’s Foundation
Beckham turned to beekeeping during Covid lockdowns and built a £500 hive at his country home.
In October last year, The Sun revealed how he accepted an invitation to dinner with King Charles.
The meeting helped the monarch “discover” the star and they discussed whether he would become a celebrity ambassador for the charity.
Beckham played a similar role during Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.
But he has since distanced himself from the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan after they moved to the United States and destroyed the royal family.
What is the King’s Ambassador
King’s Foundation ambassadors support the charity in its vision, mission and strategy.
David Beckham will help raise awareness of his work and support educational programs.
It will also seek to ensure that young people have greater access to nature.
Sources say it is an “open secret” that the former Real Madrid midfielder wants to become “Sir” David Beckham.
He was awarded an OBE for services to football 20 years ago, while former Spice Girl wife Victoria, 50, received the same honor in 2017 for her work in the fashion industry.
Beckham is a renowned royalist and famously joined the huge queue to see Queen Elizabeth lying in state at Westminster Hall following her death in September 2022.
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Buckingham Palace is thought to be hoping he will bring some of his global and star appeal power for the operation.
Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King’s Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome David Beckham to The King’s Foundation family as an ambassador.
“We look forward to working with David in the coming months and years to share the Foundation’s good work with a wider audience.”
Andy’s ‘Tears’ at Work Ax
By Scarlet Howes
PRINCE Andrew was left “in tears” after the king made it clear there was no way he could return as a royal, it has been claimed.
The conversation took place at Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate, weeks before his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in 2022.
News The chat portion comes as it is reported that Her Majesty is pushing for Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, according to The Times.
He was given the option of moving to Frogmore Cottage.
But he rejected the move, despite having to keep the 30-bedroom mansion as part of his 75-year lease.
The king currently foots Andrew’s private security bill, as his police protection was withdrawn after he stepped down from public duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
It also funds a living allowance, estimated to be worth more than £1 million annually.
Football started by the monarch
EXCLUSIVE by Matt Wilkinson
The King ended more than a century of royal tradition by expelling football from his list of sponsorships.
The 75-year-old monarch, a Burnley fan, has resigned from around 200, including the English, Scottish and Welsh federations.
They were among 1,000 vacated by the late Queen upon her death in 2022.
She frequently visited Wembley early in her reign and presented England captain Bobby Moore with the World Cup in 1966.
Her Majesty’s decision on football is seen by some as harsh, given her decision to take on other sporting sponsorships such as the MCC.
A palace source said: “Being a patron is not the only way royals can get involved with organizations and show support – and it is possible for other members of the family to take on patronages.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
