David Beckham has reportedly missed out on being knighted yet again.
The world-famous footballer is reportedly keen to be knighted but failed to make the latest list of those honoured by the Queen. Usually, those receiving the British honours receive them at New Year and in June, to coincide with the Queen's birthday.
But Beckham was left off this year's list and was reportedly annoyed when he missed out on the list in 2017. After failing to receive a knighthood emails surfaced in which he reportedly called the honours committee a number of very disparaging remarks.
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In the years before this, he was also thought to have been ineligible to receive a knighthood due to his participation in a tax relief scheme. The Daily Mail reports that Beckham's latest chance to be knighted fell short after striking a £10m deal to be the face of the World Cup in Qatar.
But while the footballer-come-philanthropist still is still not eligible to be called "Sir", he has received an honour in the past. In 2003 he received an OBE for Services to Football.
What is an OBE?
An OBE stands for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. It is the second-highest ranking Order of the British Empire, with the exception of knighthood/damehood. The honour is awarded to people who have made "major contributions at a local level, or whose work has gained a national profile".
What are the rankings for British Honours System?
Receiving an honour in the British Honours System means you are inducted into one of the Orders of the British Empire. They were created by George V following the First World War. The rankings, from highest order to lowest, are:
- Knights and Dames - The two most senior ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander. Other orders that have knights and dames include the Most Noble Order of the Garter and the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Men can also be given the title Knight Bachelor.
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
