Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham have projected an image of festive unity this Christmas, despite a very public and ongoing rift with their eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, and his wife, Nicola Peltz. The couple, both 50 and 51 respectively, shared glimpses of their holiday preparations on social media, showcasing tree decorating and cocktail hours, in a clear effort to maintain a brave front.
A Festive Display on Social Media
On Christmas Eve, Victoria Beckham offered followers an intimate look into the Beckham household. The footage featured David Beckham chopping down a Christmas tree and adorning it with decorations, sporting a Santa hat and appearing in high spirits. Notably absent from any shared content were 26-year-old Brooklyn and 30-year-old Nicola.
The retired football star and his fashion designer wife later relaxed with martinis, which Victoria noted were prepared by their youngest son, Cruz, 20. In a playful caption referencing David's recent knighthood, she wrote: "Sir @davidbeckham giving us his best 'Clark Griswold'."
The Roots of the Family Fallout
This show of seasonal cheer comes during a period of significant tension within the famous family. The cracks first became visible to the public around David's 50th birthday celebrations earlier this year, when Brooklyn and Nicola were conspicuously absent. The snub continued, with the couple failing to publicly acknowledge David on his milestone day.
The situation has deteriorated since, with Brooklyn and Nicola renewing their vows in a ceremony that did not include any Beckham family members. The digital divide widened when Brooklyn unfollowed his parents on Instagram. Fans accused Victoria and David of retaliating, but their son Cruz was quick to defend them, stating on social media: "NOT TRUE. My mum and dad would never unfollow their son... They woke up blocked... as did I."
Accusations and PR Strategies
A friend of Brooklyn and Nicola subsequently claimed the pair find updates from the Beckham clan "anxiety-inducing" and have requested to be left alone. The source accused the Beckhams of briefing the press and playing "blocking games," urging them to "stop contacting, commenting and briefing."
Analysing this narrative, PR expert Mayah Riaz suggested the language used—terms like "manipulation" and "gaslighting"—was a deliberate public relations strategy. "This absolutely reads like a briefing," Riaz explained. "It positions Brooklyn and Nicola not just as hurt, but as victims of something darker and more deliberate... It moves them from 'difficult children' to 'people protecting their mental health.'"
She added that this framing is designed to resonate with younger audiences and secure the moral high ground, effectively controlling the narrative around the feud without Brooklyn or Nicola having to speak directly to the press. The strategy appears less about escalating the conflict and more about establishing a defensive position for any future developments.
As the Beckhams toasted the season in their Cotswolds home, the stark contrast between their curated Christmas joy and the reality of the family schism painted a poignant picture of a celebrity dynasty navigating a very private pain in the public eye.
