Over the past few years, he has struck up a close friendship with the 76-year-old monarch and his son, the Prince of Wales. He recently joined the King at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, was invited to his first Buckingham Palace State Banquet last year, and has made key contributions to charities linked to Charles and William.

The knighthood could present new opportunities for David Beckham, “particularly in diplomatic, charitable or political spheres”.