Sir David Beckham has broken his silence after his son Brooklyn launched a blistering public attack on his parents, saying his children have “made mistakes” on social media.
Brooklyn Beckham reignited the long-running family feud on Monday night by sharing a six-page statement on Instagram in which he said he had no desire to reconcile with his family and was standing up for himself “for the first time in my life”.
The 26-year-old aspiring chef said he was speaking out to defend his wife, actress Nicola Peltz, 31, amid what he described as years of tension with the Beckham family.
Brooklyn and Peltz have been at the centre of the rift after reportedly skipping several major family events, including Sir David’s 50th birthday celebrations and his recent knighthood.
In his statement, Brooklyn claimed tensions first emerged around the couple’s April 2022 wedding. He alleged his parents had “endlessly tried” to undermine his relationship, claiming his mother cancelled plans to make Nicola’s wedding dress at the “eleventh hour” and accusing Victoria Beckham of hijacking the couple’s first dance, leaving him feeling “embarrassed”.
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He also criticised his father, claiming that despite travelling to the UK for Sir David’s birthday, repeated requests to meet beforehand were ignored. Brooklyn said he was eventually offered a meeting on the condition that Nicola was not invited.
Brooklyn further accused his parents of controlling press narratives and prioritising image and endorsements over family relationships, writing: “Brand Beckham comes first.”
He added that since stepping away from his family, his longstanding anxiety had disappeared, and said he and Nicola now wanted “peace, privacy and happiness” away from public manipulation.
READ MORE: Inside Nicola Peltz’s string of falling-outs — from Selena Gomez to her stylist
Sir David has now spoken in public for the first time since the post, speaking about the power — and dangers — of social media while appearing live on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
“I’ve always spoken about social media and the power of social media, for the good and for the bad,” the former England captain said. “What kids can access these days, it can be dangerous.”
Reflecting on his own family, he added: “What I’ve found personally, especially with my kids as well, is using it for the right reasons.”
Beckham went on to highlight how he has used his platform to raise awareness for charitable causes, including his long-standing work with UNICEF.
“I’ve been able to use my platform for my following, for UNICEF — and it has been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children,” he said. “I’ve tried to do the same with my children, to educate them.”
Acknowledging online missteps, Sir David added: “They make mistakes — but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn. That is what I try to teach my kids.”
He concluded: “You sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well.”
Neither Brooklyn nor Victoria Beckham has publicly responded to David’s remarks.
Brooklyn’s explosive statement has led to a number of celebrities taking sides.
Lily Allen appeared to side with Brooklyn with a social media post of her own.
While Katherine Ryan launched a brutal attack on him in defence of Sir David and Lady Victoria.
