David Beckham and Katherine Jenkins found themselves in close proximity once again at Wimbledon on Monday, marking the latest chapter in a strained relationship that began nine years ago when Beckham's disparaging comments about the Welsh singer were made public.
Royal Box seating arrangement reignites old tensions
The former England football captain sat in the Royal Box alongside his mother Sandra to watch the opening day of the tournament. Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas were seated directly behind them, creating an unavoidable encounter. This reunion comes two years after the pair had an equally awkward meeting in the same box, following the disclosure of Beckham's emails.
The controversy dates back to 2014 when Jenkins was appointed an OBE for services to music and charity, while Beckham was overlooked for a knighthood. In a leaked email to his adviser, Beckham wrote: "Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops plus taking coke. F***ing joke." The emails were later disclosed in 2017.
Jenkins reflects on the hurt and fallout
Jenkins later admitted she was hurt by Beckham's words and revealed he never apologised. "You're just minding your own business, and you get caught up in this massive storm," she told The Sun. "You just think, 'Aw, I wasn't doing anything'. To get caught up in that wasn't pleasant." She added: "I don't know why, again, that was aimed at me. I also don't feel the need to defend this, by the way. I know what I've done, and when I got the OBE, it was given to me for music and for charity."
Jenkins confirmed she had never heard from Beckham or his camp about the incident. "It's obviously disappointing. I've never heard anything from them about it. It doesn't matter. Priorities are my kids, my family, my singing, my charities and that's just white noise in the background."
Beckham's reference to 'coke' and Jenkins' past
Beckham's mention of cocaine referred to Jenkins having previously admitted to taking illegal substances, including cocaine, ecstasy and MDMA, until she was 23. "I felt like I had to be honest, that was the thing," she said. "I look back and I think it was the right thing to do and I definitely don't regret talking about it. I think it was something that needed to be addressed."
Earlier affair rumours and Beckham's knighthood
The email controversy emerged just over five years after Jenkins had publicly and emphatically denied claims of an affair with Beckham, which had circulated on social media. Meanwhile, Beckham was eventually knighted last year for his contributions to sport and charity.
Other notable attendees in the Royal Box
Also present in the Royal Box on Monday were actor and playwright Sir Mark Rylance, television presenter Alexander Armstrong, singer Ronan Keating, food writer and chef Dame Mary Berry, and former Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly.
