Former England football captain David Beckham, Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman, and legendary rock vocalist Roger Daltrey have been awarded knighthoods in the King’s Birthday Honours list. The prestigious honors recognize their outstanding contributions to sport, charity, and the arts.
David Beckham, 50, was recognized for his services to sport and charity. With 115 appearances for England and league titles in four countries, Beckham’s influence extends beyond the pitch. He has worked with UNICEF since 2005 and recently joined the King’s Foundation as an ambassador. Beckham expressed gratitude for the honor, saying, “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour”.
Gary Oldman, 67, was awarded a knighthood for his services to drama. Best known for his portrayal of Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise and his Oscar-winning role as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour,” Oldman has made a lasting impact on the film industry.
Roger Daltrey, 81, co-founder and lead singer of The Who, was honored for his services to charity and music. As a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000, Daltrey has spearheaded its annual concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall. He described the knighthood as “a dream come true” and plans to celebrate with “a bottle of plonk”.
The King’s Birthday Honours list is compiled by the government and signed off by King Charles, with nominations reviewed by independent panels across different sectors. Other notable figures recognized in the list include sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, who received the Companion of Honour, and actress Elaine Paige, who was named Dame for her service to music and charity.