King Charles was reportedly left "seismic with rage" after David and Victoria Beckham accepted an invitation from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for their daughter Harper's sixth birthday, according to a new book.
The ex-footballer had been keen to make the event truly memorable, but the celebrations at Buckingham Palace quickly became the target of a furious backlash.
Social Media Posts Spark Controversy
According to Alison Boshoff's book Brand Beckham, David posted a series of photos from the day on Instagram on July 3, 2017. In one post, he wrote: "Happy Birthday to our special little young lady. Such a special girl who brings so much joy and happiness into our lives. Happy 6th birthday (I can't believe your 6 already) have the most amazing day we love you pretty lady x".
The accompanying images showed Harper in the front quadrangle of Buckingham Palace with her friends. Inside the palace, Princess Eugenie was pictured crouching down next to the children, who were dressed as princesses, some wearing cardboard crowns, reports the Express.
Victoria was away fulfilling fashion commitments at the time but also shared a photo of Harper dressed in a Princess Elsa costume from Disney's Frozen. She captioned it: "Our little birthday princess x Kisses."
Backlash and Breach of Protocol
Alison wrote that the posts quickly ignited controversy, with former Queen's press secretary Dickie Arbiter criticising the Beckhams' presence at the palace. He asserted they had "no right to be there" and queried: "Is it [Buckingham Palace] being opened up as a theme park?" He added: "It devalues what the place is all about. Why do the Beckhams get special treatment?"
The backlash was particularly uncomfortable given the context, with critics questioning why the palace was being used for a private birthday party in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
However, according to Brand Beckham, the Beckhams hadn't simply organised the use of Buckingham Palace themselves. Harper's party was hosted by the then Prince Andrew in his private apartment, following an invitation seemingly extended by his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Ferguson had maintained a longstanding friendship with Victoria, having first met Victoria when she was a Spice Girl in 1999. The book reveals the pair shared several mutual acquaintances, including Sir Elton John, and had attended his White Tie and Tiara parties.
Yet it was the decision to share the palace visit on social media that reportedly caused particular concern, according to the Daily Mail's editor-at-large.
A Palace insider reportedly described the posts as a "serious breach of protocol". The source claimed: "Prince Charles is apparently seismic with rage and this will only deepen his feud with Prince Andrew." They added: "Photos are absolutely not allowed in the Buckingham Palace quadrangle." The insider also claimed: "Prince William will not be amused."
There was reportedly a feeling that Ferguson had only "got away with" the invitation because the late Queen was spending her summer in Scotland.
Clarification and Later Events
The next day, David seemed to clarify exactly what had transpired, insisting that the palace hadn't been specially opened for Harper's birthday. He wrote: "Just to be clear this wasn't the palace opening the gates for Harper's birthday party, this was a tea party where us and other guests were invited so it was a beautiful thing to do with my mum, Harper plus a few school friends." He continued: "We were honoured to be able to be there ... Beautiful tea party."
The royal connection would later take an extraordinarily different turn. In November 2025, David was awarded a knighthood by King Charles at Windsor Castle in recognition of his contributions to sport and charity. The former England captain, 50, attended the ceremony alongside Victoria and his parents, Ted and Sandra Beckham, with the couple pictured smiling together in the castle courtyard. David said he was "immensely proud" to receive the honour, while Victoria referred to him as her "knight in shining armour" and said she "couldn't be prouder" of him.
