David Beckham 'will receive knighthood' from King Charles on 'one condition'

will likely in the future from , but he will have to do one particular thing to be given the honour, a former royal staffer has claimed.

The ex-footballer's ever since the monarch ascended to the throne in 2022.

But he failed to make it to King Charles's birthday honours list, which was announced back in June.

Now Paul Burrell, late Princess Diana's former butler, claimed that Mr Beckham is "not old enough" to receive the honour.

He also said that he is too immersed in a "commercial phase" and will need to wait until his knighthood arrives.

It comes as the sportsman recently made headlines after he joined the Prince of Wales earlier this month for an event at RAF Northolt, which marked the end of the London Air Ambulance's 'Up Against Time' appeal that raised £16m for two new helicopters.

Speaking on behalf of , Mr Burrell claimed: "We haven't seen [David Beckham knighted] yet because A, he's not old enough and B, he hasn't earned his stripes yet and C, he's still in a very commercial world. David Beckham is everywhere. He's sponsoring and commercialising himself.

"And once this phase is over the commercial phase and he goes back into charitable work because you've seen him with William, you've seen him with the King.

"He's obviously been fast-tracked for a knighthood, but not just yet and they're keeping him just dangling for a while. Because, you know, they're waiting to see what happens."

The former royal butler opined that Mr Beckham has "shown his worth" and should be expected a knighthood in the future but only if he puts in more work into the King's Trust - Charles charitable organisation.

He explained: "Of course it's going to happen. The question is, when. When will the King finally say it's time for David to receive his knighthood?

"I think he has to put some more work into the King's Trust, and I think he'll be seen many more times with the King and William before that honour comes his way.

"It's a much sought-after honour, it's one that's eluded him, but it will come his way, he just has to be more patient. It's on its way. It's not in the post yet, but it's on its way. His name is on the King's desk!"