A new book claims King Charles was left "seismic with rage" after David and Victoria Beckham accepted an invitation from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for their daughter Harper's sixth birthday party at Buckingham Palace, sparking a major backlash.
According to Alison Boshoff's book Brand Beckham, David shared a series of photographs 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 captured Harper in the front quadrangle of Buckingham Palace alongside her friends. Inside the palace, Princess Eugenie was photographed crouching down beside the youngsters, who had dressed up as princesses, some sporting cardboard crowns.
Backlash Over Palace Use
Victoria was away attending to fashion commitments at the time but also posted a picture of Harper dressed in a Princess Elsa costume from Disney's Frozen, captioning it: "Our little birthday princess x Kisses."
Alison wrote that the posts rapidly sparked controversy, with former Queen's press secretary Dickie Arbiter taking aim at the Beckhams' appearance at the palace. He declared they had "no right to be there" and questioned: "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 proved particularly awkward given the circumstances, with critics questioning why the palace was being utilised for a private birthday celebration in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Invitation from Prince Andrew
Yet according to Brand Beckham, the Beckhams had not simply arranged the use of Buckingham Palace themselves. Harper's party had been hosted by the then Prince Andrew in his private apartment, following an invitation apparently put forward by his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Ferguson had maintained a longstanding friendship with Victoria, having first been introduced when she was a Spice Girl in 1999. The book reveals the pair shared several mutual connections, amongst them Sir Elton John, and had attended his White Tie and Tiara parties.
However, it was the decision to document the palace visit on social media that reportedly caused particular alarm, 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."
David Beckham's Response
There was reportedly a sense that Ferguson had only "got away with" the invitation because the late Queen was spending the summer in Scotland. The following day, David appeared to attempt to set the record straight about precisely what had taken place, maintaining that the palace had not been unlocked especially for Harper.
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 went on to say: "We were honoured to be able to be there ... Beautiful tea party."
The royal connection would later take a remarkably different direction. 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 skipper, 50, attended the ceremony alongside Victoria and his parents, Ted and Sandra Beckham, with the pair beaming together in the castle courtyard. David declared he was "immensely proud" of receiving the accolade, while Victoria described him as her "knight in shining armour" and said she "couldn't be prouder" of him.
