Brooklyn Beckham has seemingly delivered another significant blow in his ongoing public rift with his parents, Sir David and Victoria Beckham, by apparently removing a tattoo dedicated to his father. The 26-year-old entrepreneur, who owns a hot sauce brand, appears to be in the process of having the ink lasered off, according to recent social media images.
Faded Ink and Family Tensions
In photographs shared on his Instagram account this week, a shirtless Brooklyn displayed his upper right arm tattoo, which once prominently featured the word 'dad' integrated into a large anchor design. Directly beneath this was the affectionate message 'Love you Bust' – David Beckham's cherished nickname for his eldest son. However, the latest images reveal the lettering has become extremely faded, with the paternal tribute barely visible.
Additional pictures obtained by The Sun suggest the word 'dad' has been replaced by three nondescript shapes, indicating a deliberate alteration rather than simple fading. This development follows Brooklyn's decision last year to cover up his 'mama's boy' chest tattoo honouring his mother, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
A History of Tattoo Tributes
The Beckham family has a well-documented history of using body art to express familial bonds. David Beckham himself sports a 'Buster' neck tattoo, inked in 2015 as a tribute to Brooklyn, which was visible just a day before these latest images emerged during his visit to Doha. Brooklyn's apparent decision to remove his own tribute will likely be interpreted as a particularly personal rejection, given that David originally brought his son to get his first tattoo.
This symbolic gesture comes just weeks after Brooklyn released an extraordinary public statement in which he declared he had no wish to reconcile with his family. In that detailed account, he accused his parents of attempting to control narratives, ruin his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz, and prioritise their public image above genuine family connection.
Accusations and Allegations
In his lengthy statement last month, Brooklyn made several serious allegations against his parents, including claims that Victoria Beckham cancelled making Nicola's wedding dress at the eleventh hour, that both parents pressured him to sign away rights to his name before his wedding, and that his mother hijacked his planned first dance with his wife at their wedding reception.
'I have been controlled by a family that values public promotion above all else,' Brooklyn wrote. 'Since being with my wife Nicola, I have found peace and relief after battling crippling anxiety.'
He further alleged that his parents have 'been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding' and described what he called performative social media posts and inauthentic relationships as fixtures of the life he was born into.
Family Responses and Billionaire In-Laws
The Beckhams have maintained a stoic silence since Brooklyn's statement was released, though sources close to them have indicated they were 'devastated' by his comments. Last week, David, Victoria, and their other children – Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14 – presented a united front at Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris.
Meanwhile, Nicola Peltz's father, billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz, briefly addressed the family drama during a Q&A session at WSJD's Invest Live event in West Palm Beach. When asked about the situation, he responded: 'My daughter and the Beckhams are a whole other story and that's not for coverage here today. But I'll tell you my daughter is great, my son-in-law Brooklyn is great and I look forward to them having a long, happy marriage together.'
Nelson Peltz's considerable wealth – estimated at $1.6 billion – significantly eclipses the Beckhams' reported $680 million fortune, adding another dimension to the family dynamics.
Looking Forward
Despite the apparent finality of Brooklyn's statement and his latest symbolic gesture with the tattoo, sources close to David and Victoria Beckham suggest they would 'welcome Brooklyn back into the fold' should he ever wish to reconcile. For now, however, the fading ink on Brooklyn's arm serves as a visible metaphor for a family relationship that appears to be eroding in the public eye.
Brooklyn concluded his statement by emphasising his desire for a different kind of life: 'My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want is peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.' The removal of his father's name from his skin suggests he is taking tangible steps to separate himself from the family brand he claims has controlled him for most of his life.
