Soccer star David Beckham was awarded his long-coveted knighthood on November 4, after being named in King Charles's birthday honors list during the summer.
David Beckham is offering a cryptic response to his son Brooklyn Peltz Beckham's lengthy social media condemnation of the family.
During an appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Jan. 20, Beckham, 50, said social media can be fertile ground for people to make "mistakes."
"I have always spoken about social media and the power of social media. For the good and for the bad," the famed soccer player said. "The bad we've talked about with what kids can access these days, it can be dangerous."
"What I have found personally, especially with my kids as well, use it for the right reasons," he continued. "I've been able to use my platform and 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."
Beckham then brought up his kids: He shares Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, with wife Victoria Beckham.
"I've tried to do the same with my children; to educate them," Beckham 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. You sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well."
Beckham's comments follow an extensive statement posted to social media by his eldest son, Brooklyn, over the weekend. After years of rumors surrounding a rift between him and his parents, Brooklyn Beckham broke his silence, writing on Instagram that he does "not want to reconcile with my family."
The series of stories, posted Jan. 19, went on to say he had "been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private," alluding to speculation that he's estranged from his family because of his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.
"My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped," he continued, alleging that his fashion designer mother had pulled out of making Nicola's wedding dress at "the eleventh hour." He also claimed that she ruined their first dance at the wedding by dancing on him inappropriately.
"My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one," Brooklyn Beckham continued. "My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable."
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham married in 2022 and renewed their vows in August 2025. Brooklyn's parents attended the wedding but weren't present for the vow renewal.
Contributing: Pamela Avila, USA TODAY