THE BECKHAM BROOD
AWAY FROM THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR, THE BECKHAMS TREASURE FAMILY ABOVE ALL ELSE
There’s one thing that matters more to David and Victoria than all the money and success in the world – their family. ‘They’re a wonder to me every day,’ says Victoria of their four children, Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 16, Cruz, 14, and seven-yearold Harper. ‘Being a mother is the greatest achievement of my life. It has taken me on an unexpected journey that can constantly surprise, educate and confuse me!’
David echoes his wife’s sentiment, describing fatherhood as ‘more important than football, more important than anything… I love the fact our children are part of both of us.’ Revealing that he always hoped to be a young parent so his children could ‘live through
my career’ with him, David readily admits: ‘I’m still learning new things about fatherhood every day. You never stop learning.’ But he adds: ‘I don’t think anything prepares you for the constant worry.’
Victoria says she’s become ‘a bit more relaxed’ about parenting over the years, but jokes ‘you might not think that if you heard me screaming at my kids!’ However, they both insist they’re ‘strict parents’ and as a result the four siblings, according to David, have ‘been saying their please and thank-yous since they were two or three years old’.
The power couple have every right to be proud of their ‘kind hearted and well mannered’ brood. Brooklyn is on track to
realise his dream of becoming an art photographer. Speaking shortly after his birth in 1999, David said: ‘He’s got my feet and legs, and Victoria’s nose, lips, eyes and little chin. He’s the happiest little boy.’
Romeo has a promising career in tennis ahead of him, but made his professional debut as model for Burberry when he was just ten. ‘He likes to go out in a suit with a bowler hat… he’s a real fashion lover,’ Victoria has said.
Keen singer Cruz, says David, ‘has a cute little voice’ and according to his mum is ‘in and out of the music studio, loves to play guitar and piano, write and record songs’. The ‘streetwear obsessive’ even released a charity single, If Every Day Was Christmas, in 2016.
Victoria says that Harper – who apparently dreams of becoming an inventor – is ‘a real little tomboy’ who ‘likes to run around and play football’ and ‘is not scared of being pushed over’. But she’s also ‘very girlie’ at times and loves fashion and make-up. ‘We go and get our nails done together,’ says Victoria, adding: ‘She’s been able to run in Alaïa platforms since she was three!’
With their busy careers, family life has been a juggling act for Victoria and David over the years.
‘I didn’t want to miss a second, but of course there were times that I couldn’t be there,’ recalls David. ‘I feared they’d do something for the first time and I wouldn’t be there to see it.’
For Victoria, whose fashion career has rocketed since David’s retirement from football, it’s an ongoing challenge. ‘I feel the constant struggle to be the best mother I can, while setting a good example to my children to work hard,’ she says. ‘I miss them all the time when I am away.’ Her four children miss her too and hide thoughtful notes in Victoria’s suitcase for her to find when she unpacks.
Workaholic Victoria took less than a week off after Harper’s birth in 2011. ‘I was still in hospital. I couldn’t feel my legs because of the bl***y epidural, and I’m being asked to approve look book images,’ she later recalled.
For David, the time has flown by since becoming a dad aged 24. ‘One minute you’re holding them in hospital for the first time and then, the next minute, they’re driving their car. But it’s the most special thing, I would never change anything.’