Sir David Beckham has made his first public appearance following a series of shocking allegations levelled against him and his wife Victoria by their eldest son, Brooklyn. The former England captain was photographed recording a podcast at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, presenting a business-as-usual front just hours after the social media outburst.
Brooklyn's Explosive Instagram Accusations
In a lengthy and emotional series of Instagram posts, aspiring chef and photographer Brooklyn Beckham, 26, made a string of damaging claims about his parents. He alleged they have been trying to "ruin" his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham since before their lavish 2022 wedding to the daughter of US billionaire Nelson Peltz.
Brooklyn claimed his mother, Victoria, "hijacked" his first dance with Nicola at their wedding, dancing "inappropriately" on him and causing him profound humiliation in front of guests. He further stated that his wife was disrespected by the family and notably excluded from his father's 50th birthday party.
The accusations extended to matters of control and finance. Brooklyn alleged his parents pressured him to sign away the rights to his name just weeks before his wedding, a move he resisted, which he claims affected a "payday" and changed their relationship permanently. He also stated his mother cancelled designing Nicola's wedding dress at the last minute.
Beckhams Maintain Public Silence as Experts Weigh In
While Sir David was seen in Davos, he pointedly did not answer questions about his son's allegations during his appearance. Neither he nor Victoria have issued a public statement. Instead, the family's social media channels have continued to share promotional posts for their son Cruz's first music gig in London.
Talent manager Jonathan Shalit, speaking on ITV's This Morning, predicted the Beckhams would not respond publicly. "They will know the best way to achieve reconciliation is saying nothing," he advised, suggesting dignity and silence were the best path to eventual repair. He doubted the scandal would significantly damage "Brand Beckham," positing it might even garner public sympathy for a family in crisis.
Other celebrities have commented on the very public rift. Singer Lily Allen shared a mocked-up album cover, while I'm A Celebrity star GK Barry posted on Instagram: "I know it’s pure panic in the Beckham household tonight. He really did a mic drop."
A Family Feud Played Out on the Global Stage
In his statements, Brooklyn expressed a firm stance against reconciliation, writing he was "standing up for myself for the first time in my life." He accused his parents of prioritising "Brand Beckham" and a facade of family unity over authentic relationships, controlled through "performative social media posts."
He claimed that since he began standing up for himself, he has faced "endless attacks" from his parents, both privately and through the press, and that even his brothers, Cruz and Romeo, were sent to criticise him on social media before blocking him last summer. Conversely, he stated that stepping away from his family has alleviated a lifetime of "overwhelming anxiety."
Television presenters Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway discussed the saga on Good Morning Britain, with Reid calling it "utterly tragic" and Garraway expressing heartbreak over the shattered family dynamic, reminiscing about the intimate moments of early parenthood.
The Beckhams, one of the world's most famous couples, now face an unprecedented public challenge to their carefully curated family image, with their son declaring a desire for a life of "peace, privacy and happiness" away from the narrative control he says has defined his life until now.
