David Beckham receives OBE from Queen ( 2003-11-28 09:42) (Agencies)
England soccer captain David Beckham received a
royal award Thursday from Queen Elizabeth II — and said she told him the
occasion was also as an "honor" for her.
England soccer
captain David Beckham kisses his wife, Victoria, as he holds the OBE,
Order of the British Empire, he received Thursday Nov. 27, 2003, from
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at London's Buckingham Palace. The former
Manchester United star, who now plays for Real Madrid, said recently: 'I
am honoured and privileged to receive this recognition. It's not just for
me but for Manchester United, England, all of my teammates and my family'.
[AP]
A day after scoring on a trademark free
kick for Real Madrid in a Champions League victory, Beckham came to Buckingham
Palace to receive his OBE — Officer of the Order of the British Empire — for
services to the game.
The queen pinned the award on his lapel and the two exchanged a few words.
Beckham then stepped backward and bowed.
Beckham, with his blond hair tied back in a tight ponytail, wore formal dress
of black top hat and tails. He had a gold watch chain on his gray waistcoat and
designer black leather shoes.
"Amazing," he told reporters. "It's great to receive an honor for playing
football, for something I love doing."
What did the queen say to him?
"She said it's a great honor for her to be giving me the award," Beckham
said. "She asked me about traveling back and forward playing football and I said
it's not a problem. I said it's a great honor to be here with Her Majesty."
Asked how the award compared with his soccer achievements, he said, "This is
probably the best I've received so far. It's an amazing day for me."
Beckham won six Premier League championships, two FA Cups and one European
Cup title with Manchester United. He moved to Real Madrid last summer.
Beckham scored on a swerving free kick in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over
Olympique Marseille on Wednesday. It was Beckham's second goal in four days and
fifth since joining the Spanish side.
Beckham's pop star wife, "Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham, and his grandparents
accompanied him to the palace for the ceremony. Victoria stole some of the
limelight with a designer headpiece branching out like feathers or leaves.
Beckham recently denied British newspaper reports that his marriage was in
trouble.
"She's my wife so she was going to be with me whatever happens," he said
Thursday. "She's a very supportive wife and I love her a lot."
He dismissed reports the two were planning to renew their wedding vows.
"It's the first I've heard about that," he said. "We don't need to do that."
The two posed for photographers, with Victoria displaying her trademark pout
and Beckham giving her a peck on the nose.
