Emotional David Beckham wipes his eyes while revealing ‘important’ role in Royal Family

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David Beckham has opened up about his love for the Royal Family as almost appeared to well up while talking about King Charles III at the World Economic Forum (WEF) .

Invited in his capacity as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, David, 49, appeared on Monday to discuss his charity work.

In an interview about the Prince’s Trust Charity – which David has worked with for several years – the footballer discussed his love of the royal family.

‘I always get emotional talking about anything that I do with our royal family,’ he said.

‘I’ve always been a huge royalist,’ he added, explaining that he grew up in a family that loved and admired the monarchy and ‘everything that came with the royal family.’

He then commented that he was an important part of the royal family – which made his mother extremely proud.

‘She’s so proud of obviously what I’ve done throughout my career but she’s also proud that I’ve played such an important role within the royal family and the charities they have.’

He went on to call the King an ‘incredible man’ and complimented him on the work he has done ‘for decades’ to help empower young people.

David Beckham wiping his eye — David said he gets ’emotional’ discussing the royals (Picture: World Economic Forum)

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND JANUARY 20: Former British football player David Beckham makes a speech after receiving the Crystal Award within the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images) — The footballer gave a speech while in Davos (Picture: Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)

David was awarded an OBE in 2003 for his contributions to football, but 20 years on has not yet been given a knighthood.

In 2013, he was involved in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme which, according to some tabloids prevented the honour.

In 2017 after recovering from the scandal, his emails were leaked in which he allegedly complained about being overlooked and reportedly even called the Honours committee ‘c**ts’.

David has still yet to receive a knighthood, which many speculate is a sore spot for the footballer.

Former England's football player and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham (R) receives his prize from Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship chairperson Hilde Schwab during the Crystal Award ceremony at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) — Chairperson Hilde Schwab presented David with an award at the World Economic Forum (Picture: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

While at the World Economic Forum, the sporting legend took to the stage to give a speech about empowering young women.

‘I’ve always believed in the potential of children, and that when children are given time, opportunity and encouragement they will reach their full potential. Growing up, I benefited from that support from family, from coaches and from teachers.

‘Girls are held back by poverty, girls are held back by violence, girls are held back by discrimination,’ he then added: ‘[Girls] need opportunities. They need collective action and they need investment.’

He then spoke about his only daughter who he shares with Victoria Beckham: ‘I want my daughter Harper to have the same opportunities as her brothers and that should be the case for all girls everywhere.’

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