BBC Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige has revealed she was surprised by a comment Victoria Beckham made to her. The 78-year-old received a Damehood at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle last November, in recognition of her services to charity and music.
The same occasion also saw David Beckham honoured, after being included in King Charles' Birthday Honours list for his contributions to sport and charitable endeavours.
The Encounter
Prior to collecting their awards, Paige said she had a brief moment chatting with the Beckhams. Reflecting on the encounter on BBC Radio 2 with Sara Cox, she claimed Victoria looked her "up and down" and let out a gasp, which momentarily made her concerned she'd done something wrong.
However this was not the case, as the West End star said David's wife told her: "You look absolutely stunning." She confessed the compliment "shocked" her, before she mentioned to the former Spice Girl that she was carrying a handbag from her collection.
Victoria's Reaction
"And she looked at it and she said, 'Oh, that makes me feel very happy'. So yeah, I got ten points from Victoria Beckham," she claimed. The musical theatre star subsequently described both David and Victoria as "absolutely charming", telling Woman's Weekly there was "a real buzz in the air" at Windsor Castle on the day.
Conversation with the King
Speaking about her conversation with King Charles, she revealed the monarch found one of her remarks particularly entertaining. She told PA: "The King has a very quiet voice and he said to me, I think he said to me, 'Are you keeping your hand in?' after having said to me, 'I haven't seen you in quite a while', which was true."
"And so I said I was keeping my hand in and that I was in fact about to embark on a new album and that I would send him a signed copy if he would like it once it's done." "He thought that was rather amusing and laughed. I'm sure it's not something that he would be particularly interested in but I will send it anyway," she added.
David Beckham's Reaction
Following his knighthood ceremony, David spoke fondly about the significance of the monarchy to his family, describing the occasion as "surreal". Discussing the prestigious honour, the former footballer shared in an extensive statement: "I cried when I first found out and possibly for a few months after it as well. But this week has been really emotional. Being back in London and obviously in the lead-up to this day, it's not been stressful. I've not been nervous, I've just been emotional – I get that from my mum!"
"I think it's because of the journey, I think it's because it's such a big moment for our family and it's just so special," he added. "I'm not insisting but if they [the family] would like to call me Sir Dad, or Sir Son, they can... but no. It's going to take some getting used to, people saying it, but it's just a huge honour."
"It's a huge honour to be at Windsor Castle, it's a huge honour to receive this from His Majesty, the King, and it's just, all round, a very special day for us. I was just asked if I was relieved to get it, or I was proud. I'm just proud," he continued.
