How Sir David reacted to his knighthood

The former Manchester United star was recognised for his services to sport and charity in the King's Birthday Honours List, back in June.

Beckham's wife Victoria, who designed the three-piece suit he wore for the occasion, joined the new knight at the castle, along with his parents, Ted and Sandra.

The former England captain bent on one knee as the King performed the duty with a ceremonial sword at the event in Berkshire.

He told reporters afterwards: "The monarchy has always been very important in our family – my grandparents, my parents, my kids, myself, the royal family have always played a huge role and I’ve always had huge respect for them.

"Especially when I travel around the world and people want to talk to me about our royal family, and that shows how much respect people have.

"To be here today, to receive a knighthood from His Majesty, the King, it’s pretty surreal.

"I was just hoping I would get it all right! You get walked through it and told what the protocol all is and obviously, to see His Majesty, the King stood there and receiving me and being as elegant and charming as he always is, it’s such a special moment."

"I think obviously being told I had the honour was a special moment," he explained. "I’ve been lucky to have won things in my career and done things, and played for my country and captained my country, but, without doubt, this is the moment that makes me very proud.

"For a number of reasons – not just my career, not just for the sport, but to get it for the philanthropic work I do, that’s so important to me. My charity work has always been work that I don’t have to do. I do it because I love doing it, I do it because I make a difference and we make change and, in all honesty, it’s extra special to receive a knighthood, for not just my sport but the important work I do with children.

"It's nice to have six Premier League titles and obviously a few other medals along the way, but this, without doubt, will be pride of place."

It was clearly a huge moment for one of our most famous sons, who does not think the title will change him.

"I cried when I first found out and possibly for a few months after it as well," he added. "But this week has been really emotional. Being back in London and obviously in the lead-up to this day, it’s not been stressful. I’ve not been nervous, I’ve just been emotional – I get that from my mum!

"I think it’s because of the journey, I think it’s because it’s such a big moment for our family and it’s just so special.

"I’m not insisting but if they [the family] would like to call me Sir Dad, or Sir Son, they can… but no. It’s going to take some getting used to, people saying it, but it’s just a huge honour.

"It’s a huge honour to be at Windsor Castle, it’s a huge honour to receive this from His Majesty, the King, and it’s just, all round, a very special day for us. I was just asked if I was relieved to get it, or I was proud. I’m just proud.

"I’m very proud to have had such a special honour given to me. I grew up in a very humble background in the East End of London, always wanting to be a professional footballer and now I’m stood here at Windsor Castle with the most important monarchy in the world and getting a knighthood. It doesn’t get much better."

The lifelong Red, who turned 50 this year, came through the ranks at his boyhood club as part of the Class of '92.

He played 394 times in total for the first team, scoring 85 goals, and was Man of the Match in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich, when we clinched the Treble.

Becks, who was second in the Ballon d'Or voting that year, won each of those six Premier League titles with United, before joining Real Madrid in 2003.

Congratulations, Sir David!