David Beckham left 'heartbroken' by daughter Harper's request - 'This is happening'
England great David Beckham has had to endure his share of disappointment on the pitch, but none that could have prepared him for one 'heartbreaking' revelation from daughter Harper
Dads across the world can rejoice at the news that even David Beckham embarrasses his kids at times. The England and Manchester United legend has one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, but even 'Golden Balls' is capable of cringe.
Beckham's "heartbreaking" moment of realisation came after one particular school run. And it was after daughter Harper asked to be dropped off slightly away from the school that he discovered he wasn't as cool as he'd perhaps like.
Wife Victoria made the revelation during an appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast in 2022. David has in the past made fun of his partner for getting dropped off at school by father Tony in a Rolls Royce as a child, and Victoria harked back to those times.
"We had the Rolls Royce, but because he was an electrical wholesaler he also had a van," she said. "Me and my sister used to say like 'please drop us [off] in the van.'
"I think more kids at school were being dropped off in a van and so when we were in the Rolls, we'd be like 'oh please drop us down the road.' Nowadays, I'd be like literally pull up right to the front gate. And I'd be proud to get out of that Rolls."
Harper, who was 11 at the time of recording, had her own similar moment of realisation after hitting the same point in her development. And the episode left its mark on Beckham as he struggled to come to terms with the fact his daughter was growing up.
"David was having this conversation the other day when he was dropping off Harper," Victoria continued. "She was like, 'Daddy can you drop me a little bit away from the school?'
She went on to say David was "heartbroken" before explaining: "She's our youngest daughter, and he was like, 'Oh really, this is happening.' And then he was like, 'If it's uncool that David Beckham's your dad...' I mean let's be honest, what hope do most of the other kids have?"
Dads worldwide can take comfort from the fact even David Beckham isn't exempt from being sidelined. The former Real Madrid and LA Galaxy midfielder wasn't accustomed to playing a background role on the park, but fatherhood can clearly be more brutal than any manager.
That being said, if there's anyone who can get away with distancing themselves from Dad, it's Harper. The Beckhams have three older sons in Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, but it's their 14-year-old daughter who will always be the apple of David's eye.
"Having a daughter is a whole new thing: it changes you," he once said of his experience being a girl-dad. "I have no power with that little girl, no power whatsoever.
"I love all my children, of course, equally. But I am definitely stricter with the boys than I am with Harper. I can’t say no to her. I think I only said no to her once; her bottom lip started shivering and I was like: 'Never again.'
"She’s amazing. She’s a princess with Victoria – obviously she’s a big mummy’s girl – but she’s also a big daddy’s girl, which I love. I think she’s the best."
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