The Beckham family is preparing for a poignant and unprecedented Christmas this year, as it will be their first festive season without their eldest son, Brooklyn, present. A long-running and very public family rift has reached a new low, with the aspiring chef showing no signs of reconciling with his parents, David and Victoria, or his siblings in time for the holidays.
The Milestones Missed in a Year of Estrangement
This Christmas absence is not an isolated incident but the culmination of a year where Brooklyn has been conspicuously absent from major family events. He was notably missing from the celebrations for his father David's 50th birthday, a significant milestone for the football legend. Furthermore, he did not attend the high-profile knighthood celebrations for Sir David or the premiere of his mother Victoria's Netflix documentary.
The estrangement appears to be a two-way street. Earlier this year, Brooklyn renewed his wedding vows with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, in an intimate ceremony at her parents' home. Reports indicate that his own family were not invited to this personal event, with the gathering instead filled with Nicola's relatives and close friends.
The Roots of the Rift: A Wedding Dress Dispute
The origins of the fallout are widely reported to stem from a disagreement surrounding Nicola's wedding dress in 2022. Initial plans suggested that Victoria Beckham would design the gown for her daughter-in-law. However, Nicola ultimately walked down the aisle in a Valentino creation.
Nicola later addressed the speculation, telling Vanity Fair that while she initially wanted Victoria to design the dress, "a few months down the line, she realised that her atelier couldn’t do it". She insisted there was no direct refusal, but the rumours created a tension that seems to have escalated, with Brooklyn reportedly feeling caught in the middle between his mother and his wife.
Determined Festivities Under a Cloud of Sadness
Despite the heartbreak, David and Victoria Beckham are determined to ensure Christmas is joyful for the rest of their family. A source told The Sun that Victoria is "absolutely heartbroken" but "determined not to let the argument with Brooklyn ruin Christmas". The insider added that the couple feel they are being punished for something they haven't done and that the estrangement extends to Brooklyn's grandparents.
A glimmer of hope appeared recently when younger brother Cruz posted a nostalgic throwback picture of the family united last Christmas, seen by many as a subtle olive branch. However, with the festive season now upon them, the family portrait will be incomplete. The last known image of Brooklyn with his entire family was at the premiere of the 'Beckham' Netflix documentary, marking a stark contrast to the separation that defines their current reality.
