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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Natasha Sporn and Jennifer Ruby

Victoria and David Beckham relationship timeline, as their new Netflix documentary is soon released

They've been the ultimate celebrity power couple since they met as a fresh-faced Spice Girl and England footballer back in 1997.

And now, their new Netflix documentary will “tell the inside” story about David Beckham’s career. It is set to be released on October 4. About the documentary, Victoria Beckham said she wanted it to show her “human side” and to end decades of her “burying everything”.

“It was a difficult decision for Victoria and David about whether to go ahead with the documentary or not - but for Victoria, it was a sort of therapy,” a source told OK! Magazine. “It was important for her to share her story, it wasn’t about showing people how strong they were, but showing her human side.

“It was easier at times for David, but for her it was difficult to open up because she buries everything.

“They don’t need the money, but this was important to Victoria for people to know the real her, and to know what they’ve been through as a family.”

It will feature some of their hardest battles, including receiving kidnap threats against their newborn son and being sent bullets through the post, as well as the ins and outs of their careers. It will also feature David Beckham retelling the story of how he didn’t “sleep” or “eat” after he was blamed for England’s World Cup 1998 exit.

While Victoria and David Beckham have had their highs and lows over the course of their 26-year romance, they have remained united as “Brand Beckham” went global.

Nearly two decades after tying the knot, the couple have four children, Brooklyn, 24, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and 12-year-old Harper and a number of businesses and charity projects to their name.

David and Victoria Beckham’s relationship timeline

(PA)

1997 – Start dating

It was a case of instant connection for Victoria Adams and David Beckham when they first met at a charity football match, introduced to each other on the sidelines. Victoria later revealed that she wrote her number on the back of a plane ticket to make sure the football starlet had a way of getting in touch.

1998 – David proposes over a romantic dinner

After a year together, the couple – by then dubbed Posh and Becks by just about everybody – got engaged after David popped the question over a romantic dinner, in Cheshunt.

Months after the engagement, Victoria announced that she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.

March 1999 - Brooklyn is born

Victoria and David welcomed their baby boy, Brooklyn, at the beginning of March 1999.

Explaining his name in later years, Victoria revealed: “I had always liked the name Brooke and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I’d always like it as a place – it’s very multi-cultural, very grounded.

“It was only afterwards that I realized how appropriate it was because it was in New York that I found out I was pregnant and where David came after the World Cup.”

(Getty Images)

July 1999 – Victoria and David become The Beckhams

Months after their son was born, the pair tied the knot in an idyllic setting, with baby Brooklyn as a ring-bearer and Manchester United ace Gary Neville as best man.

The happy couple married sitting on majestic thrones and had matching white outfits, later changing into purple reception attire.

The rights for the 1999 wedding of the year were reportedly bought by OK! Magazine for £1million.

September 2002 – Romeo is born

The Beckhams welcomed another child, Romeo, into their brood – sharing more of a love of football than his older brother.

2003 – Beckham moves to Real Madrid

David, by then a Manchester United icon, decided it was time for a move to La Liga as he signed for Real Madrid for £25million.

The move from Old Trafford meant his family relocated to Spain but, at the time, David said he would “always regret” turning down to opportunity in later life if he were to stay put.

April 2004 – Rebecca Loos affair revealed

‘Brand Beckham’ was rocked by allegations that David had had an affair with his former PA Rebecca Loos in early 2004.

The assistant-turned-reality star claimed that she’d had a fling with the footballer while working for him, telling media outlets that he had described her as his “second wife”.

Beckham never publically commented on Loos’ claims but issued a statement, which read: “During the past few months I have become accustomed to reading more and more ludicrous stories about my private life.

“The simple truth is that I am very happily married. I have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing any third party can do to change these facts.”

Victoria stood by her husband and refused to discuss the allegation, finally telling V magazine in 2007 that “it was a really tough time for me”.

February 2005 – Cruz is born in Madrid

The Beckham’s third child, son Cruz, was born in early 2005, while the couple were still living in Spain

The couple’s youngest son, now 13, showed a keen interest in football during his childhood but has now turned his hand to music and has been dubbed the new Justin Bieber…. whose manager Scooter Braun actually manages his Instagram account.

January 2007 – Family relocate from Madrid to LA as Beckham joins LA Galaxy

After four years living in Spain, the family made the move across the Atlantic in 2007 after David got signed to LA Galaxy in a £128 million deal.

The family moved into a £14 million property in Bel Air, which they lived in for nearly a decade, splitting their time between their Holland Park home in London.

The British power couple saw their international star rise during their time in the US, with Victoria becoming best friends with the likes of Eva Longoria and Katie Holmes.

July 2011 – Harper is born

The Beckhams welcomed their fourth child, a little girl, in 2011. They named her Harper Seven, the second name a tribute to David’s football shirt number.

She was born in Los Angeles, a third different country of birth for the family, and as the only daughter of the family is often well-dressed in the latest fashions all over social media.

May 2013 – Beckham retires from football

In May 2013, David announced he was to hang up his football boots for good and embark on a new chapter in his sporting life.

In a statement at the time, he said: “Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

"I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back.”

May 2018 – The couple attend the Royal Wedding

The couple attended the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in March, one of a number of celebrity guests including Tom Hardy and Idris Elba.

The two were pictured arriving at the ceremony and inside, Victoria being criticised for her stony-faced appearance.

July 2019 – They celebrate their 20th anniversary

David shared some photos from their wedding day and beyond. “WOW 20 years, look what we created. Love you so much,” he wrote on his Instagram. While Victoria shared a slideshow of photos from over the years, writing, “20 years today. I love you so much.”

April 2022 – The couple’s son, Brooklyn, gets married

David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son, Brooklyn, got married to his girlfriend of two years, Nicola Peltz.

The proud parents walked hand-in-hand down the aisle.

September 2023 – David Beckham gets new tattoo in honor of Victoria Beckham

David shared photos on his Instagram of his new tattoo, in honour of Victoria, getting her Spice Girls moniker, "Posh," tattooed on his left middle finger.

October 2023 – Netflix documentary released

A new Netflix documentary series, Beckham, will air on October 4, 2023.

The four-part documentary series will explore Beckham’s life and career, as well as his relationship with wife Victoria.

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