David Beckham is to be finally awarded a knighthood next week, according to reports. The former England captain, 50, will become a “Sir” in the King’s Birthday Honours list, The Sun said. His fashion designer wife Victoria, 51, a singer with the Spice Girl, will be known as Lady Beckham, it is claimed. The Cabinet Office was approached for comment. A Government spokeswoman told the Standard: “We do not comment on speculation on honours.“ Ex-Manchester United star Beckham has longed for a knighthood behind the scenes. The news will also bring some joy to the family amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Politicians and fellow sports stars have spent years calling for the man nicknamed “Golden Balls” to receive proper recognition. The father-of-four, who played 115 times for The Three Lions, has struck up a close friendship with King Charles. The monarch appeared to drop a potential hint last month that Beckham’s wait was coming to an end. At the Chelsea Flower Show, Charles saw he sported the King’s rose in his lapel and asked him: “You got it, didn’t you?” Becks replied: “It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.” He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics. But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee when caught up in a tax avoidance scheme along with many other stars. Speculation the England legend was in line for a knighthood were raised when David and Victoria Beckham attended a state banquet for the Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace in December. In June last year, Sir Rod Stewart teased the former midfielder that his title was “coming soon” in front of the King at a St James’s Palace function. Of his joke at Beckham’s expense, Sir Rod told reporters at the event: “Someone has to lighten the atmosphere in the room you know – he’s a good sport.”