Over the past few years, he has struck up a close friendship with the 76-year-old monarch and his son, the Prince of Wales. He recently joined the King at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, was invited to his first Buckingham Palace State Banquet last year, and has made key contributions to charities linked to Charles and William.

He unveiled his first collection for Hugo Boss in April, is the founder of the Inter Miami football club and the "Studio 99" production company, and has been a UNICEF ambassador for 20 years. He is now best known not for football, "but for being Beckham, the brand", said sociologist Ellis Cashmore.