Brahms and Beethoven appeared to take a back seat on Tuesday morning as Sir David Beckham’s name echoed across the Garter Throne Room at Windsor Castle.
The former Manchester United and England footballer was made a knight of the British empire for services to sport and charity by King Charles during Tuesday’s investiture.
But his solemn approach took a bizarre turn as the string quartet charged with heralding his appearance before the King broke into a surprising rendition of a KPop classic.
Instead of the traditional classical fare better suited to such occasions, the musicians broke into the unmistakable opening strains of Golden, one of the key tracks from South Korean musical drama KPop Demon Hunters.
Released in June, the animated adventure about three young women who use their singing voices to build a magical barrier against marauding demons has grossed $24million at the box office.
Golden, one of many KPop influenced songs to feature in the film, has since topped numerous charts across the word – notably the Spotify Streaming Chart, the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Top 40.
Sir david Beckham was made a knight of the British empire for services to sport and charity by King Charles during Tuesday’s investiture
But his solemn approach took a bizarre turn as the string quartet charged with heralding his appearance before the King broke into a surprising rendition of a KPop classic
But it’s use on Tuesday appeared to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the notorious Goldenballs moniker coined by Victoria Beckham while referring to her husband during a 2008 interview with Sir Michael Parkinson.
Dressed in a suit tailor made for the occasion by Victoria, Sir David was knighted by King Charles himself at Windsor Castle for his services to sport and charity.
The 50-year-old’s devoted wife and his proud parents Ted and Sandra smiled as they watched him bow and kneel for the monarch who touched him gently on both shoulders with his sword.
The King and his new knight, who have struck up a heartwarming friendship in recent years over their shared love of gardening and bees, smiled, shook hands and chatted briefly during the moving investiture ceremony.
Speaking afterwards Sir David admitted he had been emotional as he received his greatest honour – and revealed that Charles had complimented him on the suit Victoria had designed and made for him as a gift.
‘I’ve been very obviously lucky in my career to have won what I’ve won and done what I’ve done but to receive an honour like this, of a knight, is beyond anything that I ever thought that I would receive’, he said.
‘To be honest, a young boy from the east end of London, born in Leytonstone, and here at Windsor Castle, being honoured by His Majesty the King – the most important and the most respected institution in the world – it’s quite a moment.
‘This is without doubt my proudest moment’.
Instead of traditional classical fare, the musicians broke into the unmistakable opening strains of Golden, one of the key tracks from South Korean musical drama KPop Demon Hunters
It’s use on Tuesday appeared to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the notorious Goldenballs moniker coined by Victoria Beckham while referring to her husband during a 2008 interview
His knighthood marks a pivotal and personally important moment for one of England’s greatest ever footballers. It is also a dream that Sir David probably never thought would come true after waiting for so long.
Asked whether he managed to speak to Charles during the ceremony, Sir David said: ‘He was quite impressed with my suit.
‘He’s kind of the most elegantly dressed man that I know, so he inspired quite a few of my looks over the years and he definitely inspired this look.
‘It was something that my wife made me. I looked at old pictures of him when he was quite young in morning suits and I was like, OK, that’s what I want to wear, so I gave it to my wife and she did it.’
The father-of-four was knighted alongside Sir Mel Stride, the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for his political and public service.
Golden, one of many songs to feature in KPop Demon Hunters (pictured), has topped numerous charts across the word – notably the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Top 40
