Beckham Family Presents United Front in Paris Amid Brooklyn Rift
The Beckham family showcased a determinedly united appearance in Paris this week, as fashion designer Victoria Beckham received a prestigious French cultural honour. The gathering came amidst an increasingly public and bitter feud with eldest son Brooklyn, who has severed ties with his parents and siblings.
A Prestigious Honour Amid Family Tensions
On Monday, Victoria Beckham, 51, was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters during a ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture. The former Spice Girl was joined by husband David, 50, and their children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, for the occasion. Notably absent was eldest son Brooklyn, 26, who has recently made explosive claims about his family in a public statement.
The award recognises significant contributions to arts and literature, with previous recipients including international stars like Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Jude Law. French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati presented the honour, praising Victoria's fashion career and describing her as "a true role model" who offered "millions of young girls a new representation of themselves."
Family Outing Following Ceremony
The day after the ceremony, Victoria stepped out in typically stylish form, wearing a slouchy blue suit with dark sunglasses and a chic red quilted bag. David adopted a more casual look in a grey jumper and warm hat as he joined son Romeo and his girlfriend Kim Turnbull for a Parisian outing.
The family's coordinated appearance extended to their fashion choices, with Cruz carrying a large orange tote bag from his mother's brand retailing at £1,190, while Harper accessorised with a £4,000 Chanel bag. The Beckhams are in Paris for Fashion Week, and despite the family drama, they appeared determined to maintain a positive public image.
Brooklyn's Damning Allegations
The Paris gathering marked the Beckhams' first public appearance since Brooklyn's lengthy statement detailing numerous grievances against his family. Among the most serious allegations were claims that Victoria cancelled plans to make his wife Nicola Peltz's wedding dress at the "eleventh hour" and that she "hijacked" their first dance at the wedding reception.
Brooklyn's statement described feeling "controlled by a family that values public promotion above all else" and claimed that since distancing himself from his family, he has found "peace and relief" from previously crippling anxiety. He also alleged that his parents attempted to pressure him into signing away rights to his name before his wedding and that family members told him his wife was "not blood" and "not family."
Victoria's Emotional Acceptance Speech
During her acceptance speech, Victoria made special mention of her children, thanking them for "always believing in my vision" despite the recent controversy. She also expressed gratitude to David, acknowledging his support for her business ambitions over their 26-year marriage.
"I am so proud to be British, but France is one of the few places where fashion is treated with the seriousness it deserves as a form of art," Victoria declared to the star-studded audience, which included fashion icons Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful.
Contradictory Accounts Emerge
Following Brooklyn's claims about the wedding dance incident, the couple's wedding DJ, Fat Tony, provided additional context during a television appearance. He described the moment as "really awkward" and confirmed that Nicola left the reception in tears, though he suggested musician Marc Anthony bore some responsibility for calling Victoria to the dance floor.
Regarding the wedding dress controversy, an article in Vogue published shortly after the April 2022 nuptials suggested Nicola's Valentino gown had been a year in the making, with her stylist detailing extensive design consultations and multiple fittings. This appears to contradict Brooklyn's claim about a last-minute cancellation.
Social Media Tributes and Family Solidarity
Following the ceremony, Victoria took to Instagram to share her gratitude, posting multiple photos with family and guests alongside a lengthy caption. She described David as "my everything" and thanked him as her "original investor." David reposted the images with a message of pride, while Romeo simply wrote "Proud of you mum."
Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel added her own tribute, praising Victoria's "drive, creativity, resilience but most importantly kindness and respect towards anyone around you." The supportive messages contrasted sharply with Brooklyn's recent public criticisms of his family.
A Family Divided
The Paris events represent only the latest family occasion snubbed by Brooklyn, who previously missed his father's 50th birthday celebration, the UK launch of his mother's Netflix show, and David's knighthood ceremony at Windsor Castle. Despite the apparent rift, sources suggest David and Victoria would "take Brooklyn back in a minute" and are "horrified" by recent developments.
As the Beckham family continues to navigate this very public family dispute, their Paris appearance demonstrated a commitment to maintaining their public image while celebrating Victoria's professional achievements. The contrast between the united family front in France and Brooklyn's damning allegations from America highlights the complex dynamics at play within one of Britain's most famous families.
