From Family Praise to Public Rift: Brooklyn Beckham's Dramatic Shift
In a stark contrast that has captivated public attention, Brooklyn Beckham's once effusive praise for his famous parents has been replaced by a very public and bitter estrangement. The 26-year-old's journey from a grateful son to a figure issuing scathing statements against his family reveals a dramatic personal evolution.
The Grateful Son of 2017
Brooklyn Beckham's 2017 wildlife photography book, What I See, served as a heartfelt tribute to his family. The photographer-turned-chef, who had recently completed a course in New York and worked with prestigious brands like Burberry and Pull&Bear, filled the pages with genuine appreciation.
The book featured numerous photographs of his parents and siblings, accompanied by loving captions that spoke volumes about their close-knit dynamic. Alongside an image wearing his mother Victoria's sunglasses, he wrote with pride: 'rocky my VB sunglasses... I'm so proud of my mum.'
He shared a particularly tender moment captured during a charity trip to Kenya, writing beside a picture of Victoria: 'I love my mum - she looks so beautiful here. This is a photo I took of her when we were on a charity trip together.'
Father as Hero and Inspiration
David Beckham received special admiration in the book, with Brooklyn crediting his father as his absolute hero and the inspiration behind his passion for photography. Recalling their shared moments, he wrote alongside a holiday snapshot: 'My dad: my absolute hero (and he's pretty photogenic) took this on holiday in California at an amazing breakfast place - we had a full English, obviously. Dad's one of my favourite people to hang out with. He always makes me laugh.'
In the book's acknowledgements, Brooklyn expressed profound gratitude: 'All of my family and friends, for putting up with me constantly taking pictures! But mainly thanks to Mum, Dad, Romeo, Cruz and Harper. i love you. Brooklyn x.' He openly acknowledged his fortunate circumstances, particularly the opportunities his parents had provided.
The Introduction's Heartfelt Tone
The book's introduction further emphasised his appreciation. Brooklyn wrote: 'Thank you for picking up this copy of What I See. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to create a book of my favourite pictures. I feel very fortunate.' He detailed how his father had bought him his first camera at fourteen, sparking a shared hobby that became a professional pursuit.
He reflected on their time in Los Angeles, family holidays, and the inspiration drawn from being around professional photoshoots. Brooklyn specifically mentioned his 2016 photography course in New York and subsequent campaigns, stating: 'I know how lucky I am to have these opportunities, and all I want to do is to try and get better and better.'
The Dramatic Turn of 2024
This grateful son depicted in 2017 stands in shocking contrast to the Brooklyn Beckham who 'went nuclear' with a six-page statement in 2024. The document, littered with attacks on his parents and brothers Cruz and Romeo, declared he had no plans to reconcile with his estranged family.
Brooklyn claimed he had been 'controlled by a family that values public promotion above all else' and that since being with his wife Nicola Peltz, he had found 'peace and relief' after battling crippling anxiety. He asserted: 'My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first.'
The statement continued: 'Family "love" is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo op even if it's at the expense of our professional obligations.' He insisted the narrative that his wife controls him was completely backwards, stating: 'I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life.'
Parental Response and Ongoing Tensions
Despite the fallout, David and Victoria Beckham have continued to express love for their eldest son publicly, sharing old family photographs online. The couple have regularly spoken of their pride in all four children, with David becoming emotional in his 2023 Netflix documentary, saying: 'They could be little s**ts but they're not and that's why I say I'm so proud of my children. And I'm so in awe of my children, the way they've turned out.'
Sources indicate Victoria has been left 'devastated' by the public widening of the rift, which has seen Brooklyn and Nicola snub significant family celebrations including David's 50th birthday and knighthood. The acrimonious divide appears to have created what sources describe as a 'seemingly unbridgeable chasm.'
Public Appearances and Social Media Commentary
David Beckham faced media questioning about the feud at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he was heckled but declined to answer direct questions. Instead, he spoke somewhat ironically about the perils and virtues of children using social media, telling CNBC's Squawk Box: 'I've always spoken about social media and the power of social media for the good and for the bad. I've tried to do the same with my children, to educate them. They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That's how they learn.'
He emphasised using his platform as a Unicef ambassador to raise awareness about children's issues worldwide, while firmly refusing to discuss Brooklyn during a separate podcast recording.
The dramatic shift from the loving captions of 2017 to the bitter accusations of 2024 paints a complex picture of family dynamics under the relentless spotlight of celebrity. Brooklyn's journey from grateful son documenting family warmth to an individual declaring independence from 'Brand Beckham' represents one of the most public and poignant celebrity family rifts in recent memory.
