David and Victoria Beckham Make Surprise Appearance at Buckingham Palace for State Banquet

Mar. 15, 2025

Victoria and David Beckham.Photo:WPA Pool/Getty

WPA Pool/Getty

David Beckhamand his wifeVictoria Beckhamstepped out for a special occasion at Buckingham Palace for a state banquet honoring the Amir of Qatar.On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the fashion designer, 50, and the former soccer player, 49, were among the esteemed guests present to welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani to the U.K. The celebrity couple’s attendance was not announced up until the event began, according toThe Telegraph.Photos showed David and Victoria holding hands as they arrived.Victoria and David Beckham make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom.WPA Pool/GettyIn addition to the Amir of Qatar, his wife, and their delegation, the prestigious gathering also includedKing Charles, Queen Camilla andPrince William. theKing, the Queen, andPrince of Wales. David sat next to U.K. opposition leader Kemi Badenoch and Paris St-Germain football club Nasser Al-Khelaifi, per theBBC.King Charles, 76, welcomed his guests and said the relationship between the U.K. and Qatar was “profound, personal and historic.”He also offered the U.K.’s “deepest gratitude for your tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace, against the most unbearable heartache and suffering,” perThe Telegraph.While David has been present for several previous royal engagements, and was given the title of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2017, Tuesday marked his first time being invited to a state banquet, perThe Telegraph.David and Victoria Beckham meeting the future King Charles in 2000.Ken Goff/GettyStill, the footballer has long-since had ties to the royal family.This year, the Inter Miami CF and co-owner was named an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, and assisted Prince William in raising funds for the London Air Ambulance.Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!David and the former Spice Girl tied the knot in 1999 and areparents tosons Brooklyn Joseph Beckham, 25, Romeo James Beckham, 22, Cruz David Beckham, 19, and daughter Harper Seven Beckham, 13.During a Nov. 4 appearance on Bravo’sWatch What Happens Live!, hostAndy Cohenasked guest Brooklyn abouthis relationship with the royal familyafter taking a viewer’s question on the show.David Beckham and Victoria Beckham.Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images"Growing up, which members of the royal family did you see the most often, especially since your family is friends with Harry and Meghan?" Cohen, 56, asked, referring toPrince HarryandMeghan Markle.For theCloud 23 hot saucefounder and CEO, he admitted it was “Probably William.“Cohen further questioned his guest, wanting to know what the heir to the throne, 42, was like in real life.The oldest of the Beckham kids had nothing but great things to say about the royal.“He’s just like the sweetest guy ever. He really is. He’s really down to earth. He’s really [a] good guy,” Brooklyn told Cohen.

David Beckhamand his wifeVictoria Beckhamstepped out for a special occasion at Buckingham Palace for a state banquet honoring the Amir of Qatar.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the fashion designer, 50, and the former soccer player, 49, were among the esteemed guests present to welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani to the U.K. The celebrity couple’s attendance was not announced up until the event began, according toThe Telegraph.

Photos showed David and Victoria holding hands as they arrived.

Victoria and David Beckham make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom.WPA Pool/Getty

In addition to the Amir of Qatar, his wife, and their delegation, the prestigious gathering also includedKing Charles, Queen Camilla andPrince William. theKing, the Queen, andPrince of Wales. David sat next to U.K. opposition leader Kemi Badenoch and Paris St-Germain football club Nasser Al-Khelaifi, per theBBC.

King Charles, 76, welcomed his guests and said the relationship between the U.K. and Qatar was “profound, personal and historic.”

He also offered the U.K.’s “deepest gratitude for your tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace, against the most unbearable heartache and suffering,” perThe Telegraph.

While David has been present for several previous royal engagements, and was given the title of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2017, Tuesday marked his first time being invited to a state banquet, perThe Telegraph.

David and Victoria Beckham meeting the future King Charles in 2000.Ken Goff/Getty

Ken Goff/Getty

Still, the footballer has long-since had ties to the royal family.

This year, the Inter Miami CF and co-owner was named an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, and assisted Prince William in raising funds for the London Air Ambulance.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

David and the former Spice Girl tied the knot in 1999 and areparents tosons Brooklyn Joseph Beckham, 25, Romeo James Beckham, 22, Cruz David Beckham, 19, and daughter Harper Seven Beckham, 13.

During a Nov. 4 appearance on Bravo’sWatch What Happens Live!, hostAndy Cohenasked guest Brooklyn abouthis relationship with the royal familyafter taking a viewer’s question on the show.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham.Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images

“Growing up, which members of the royal family did you see the most often, especially since your family is friends with Harry and Meghan?” Cohen, 56, asked, referring toPrince HarryandMeghan Markle.

For theCloud 23 hot saucefounder and CEO, he admitted it was “Probably William.”

Cohen further questioned his guest, wanting to know what the heir to the throne, 42, was like in real life.

The oldest of the Beckham kids had nothing but great things to say about the royal.

“He’s just like the sweetest guy ever. He really is. He’s really down to earth. He’s really [a] good guy,” Brooklyn told Cohen.

source: people.com