David Beckham has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late grandfather, Joseph West, on the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The former England footballer posted a black-and-white photograph of his grandfather in military uniform, holding a puppy, on Instagram. He captioned the image: 'A day where we remember #VEDay75 miss you grandad.'
Beckham's grandfather, who served in the Second World War, died in December 2009 after a serious illness. The pair were reportedly very close, with Joseph West often cited as one of Beckham's inspirations. At the time of his death, a source said the star was 'absolutely devastated' by the loss of his mentor.
In addition to the personal tribute, Beckham also shared a photograph of King George VI waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE Day, 8 May 1945. He wrote: 'Today we remember those who were lost and the freedom they won for us on the 75th anniversary of VE Day.'
The Beckhams are not the only family marking the occasion. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared rare pictures of the Queen, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the war. Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret joined the jubilant crowds in London on VE Day, with the future Queen reportedly pulling her cap down to remain anonymous.
