David Beckham celebrated his 50th birthday this week with a star-studded party, but the absence of his eldest son, Brooklyn, has highlighted what sources describe as an 'obvious rift' within the family. Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz did not attend the celebrations, which included a gathering at Core restaurant in London's Notting Hill and a party at the Beckhams' Cotswolds mansion.
Romeo Beckham, 22, stepped up to deliver a speech in his older brother's absence, telling guests at the Notting Hill event: 'Without many of you, he wouldn't be half of the man he is today.' Romeo was seen with cue cards in his pocket as he arrived with his brother Cruz, 20, and sister Harper, 13. Victoria Beckham later posted on social media praising Romeo, Cruz and Harper but made no mention of Brooklyn.
The tension between Brooklyn and the rest of the family has been escalating in recent months. A source connected to the family said: 'Brooklyn not turning up was a real blow to David. He was close with his dad growing up, but he is married now. His wife Nicola is older and confident in her own right, and so there is distance between Brooklyn and his parents.' The source added that the rift has become difficult to keep private due to the family's use of social media.
Brooklyn and Nicola flew to London from their Los Angeles home last week but missed both the French celebrations on Friday and the Cotswolds party on Wednesday. They also did not attend Victoria's birthday in April and failed to send a public Mother's Day message in March. Despite this, David had earlier posted a birthday message calling all four children his 'biggest accomplishment' and 'the reason I get out of bed each day'.
Other guests at the weekend party included Tom Cruise, Gary Neville, Gordon Ramsay, Guy Ritchie, and Eva Longoria. Gary Neville, who turned 50 in February, wrote on social media: 'Happy 50th mate. You're the best!... We've won, lost, laughed and cried, but had the most incredible times together.' Gordon Ramsay also posted a photo with his wife Tana, calling it a 'fantastic night of celebrations'.
