David Beckham has publicly responded after his son Brooklyn Beckham unleashed a scathing Instagram attack accusing his parents of trying to destroy his marriage.
At a Glance
- Brooklyn Beckham posted on January 19 accusing David and Victoria of trying to ruin his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham
- David Beckham addressed the controversy the next day on CNBC’s Squawk Box, saying kids “make mistakes” and “that is how they learn”
- Brooklyn claimed his parents spread “countless lies,” tried to bribe him, and hijacked his wedding dance
- A source told News Of Los Angeles the couple “never wanted any of this” but felt forced to speak out after “relentless inaccuracies”
Why it matters: The public feud shatters the Beckhams’ carefully curated family image and reveals deep fractures between the superstar parents and their eldest son.
David’s Measured Response
Speaking on January 20 during a scheduled appearance on CNBC’s financial program Squawk Box, David Beckham addressed social media’s impact on families without directly mentioning Brooklyn’s explosive posts.
“I have always spoken about social media and the power of social media. For the good and for the bad,” David said. “The bad we’ve talked about with what kids can access these days, it can be dangerous.”
The 50-year-old former soccer star emphasized his efforts to educate his four children about responsible platform use.
“I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for UNICEF. And it has been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children,” he explained. “I have tried to do the same with my children, to educate them.”
David acknowledged his children’s social media missteps while defending their right to learn from errors.
“They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn. That is what I try to teach my kids,” he stated. “You sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well.”
Brooklyn’s Explosive Accusations
The previous day, Brooklyn Beckham posted a series of emotional messages on his Instagram Stories making serious allegations against his parents.
“I have been silent for years and have made every attempt to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed,” Brooklyn wrote.
The 26-year-old accused David and Victoria of trying to “endlessly ruin” his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, 31, claiming they spread “countless lies” about the couple.
Brooklyn’s specific accusations included:
- His parents attempted to “bribe” him into “signing away the rights” to his name before their 2022 wedding
- Victoria “hijacked” his wedding dance with Nicola and “danced inappropriately on me”
- The couple tried to sabotage their relationship during the Palm Beach wedding in April 2022 and at David’s 50th birthday celebration
“I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” Brooklyn declared.
The Build-Up to the Breakdown
Tensions between Brooklyn and his parents had been simmering for months before the public explosion. According to a source close to the situation who spoke with News Of Los Angeles, the couple reached their breaking point after enduring what they viewed as sustained attacks on Nicola’s character.
“They just wanted to quietly live their lives and be married but after reading enough of the relentless inaccuracies about Nicola, a family member had had enough and wanted to set the record straight last year,” the insider revealed.
The source indicated the Beckhams had opportunities to repair the damage but chose not to act.
“The Beckhams had plenty of time to make amends and try and fix the damage and instead they continued to push these false narratives, and Brooklyn and Nicola are just sick of it. Brooklyn knows his truth and was ready to speak it,” they added.
Family Dynamics Under Strain
David and Victoria Beckham share four children: Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14. The family has long presented a united front at public events and on social media.
The current rift appears to center specifically around Brooklyn’s marriage to Nicola Peltz Beckham. The couple wed in an elaborate ceremony at the Peltz family estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in April 2022.
Following Brooklyn’s posts, a representative for David and Victoria Beckham did not respond to News Of Los Angeles‘s request for comment on January 19.
Social Media’s Role in Family Conflicts
David Beckham’s comments about social media’s dual nature as both tool and weapon seem particularly relevant given the public nature of his son’s accusations. The platform that helped build the Beckham brand has now become the battleground for family disputes.
During his CNBC appearance, David emphasized the importance of using social media “for the right reasons” while acknowledging its potential dangers, especially for young users navigating complex family dynamics in the public eye.
The family’s situation highlights how celebrity families must manage personal conflicts under intense scrutiny, with every post and comment subject to public dissection and media amplification.
Key Takeaways
David Beckham’s measured response to his son’s public attack focused on broader themes of parenting and social media rather than addressing specific allegations. Brooklyn Beckham’s decision to break his silence after years of privacy represents a dramatic shift in the family’s public narrative. The ongoing feud threatens the carefully maintained image of one of Britain’s most famous families, with both sides appearing unwilling to back down from their positions.
