Post by Taxigirl on Nov 27, 2003 18:05:53 GMT
;DEngland captain David Beckham has received an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
He was accompanied to the investiture by his pop star wife Victoria and his grandparents.
The Real Madrid and former Manchester United player said it was the "best" honour he had ever received.
When asked by the Queen about all the travelling he has to do between England and his new club in Spain he said it was "not a problem".
The footballer and fashion icon -who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for £25m in the summer - said it had been an "amazing day" for him.
"It's great to receive an award for playing football, for something I love doing," he told BBC News 24.
The Beckhams are joining the rest of their family - including sons Brooklyn and Romeo - for a celebratory lunch on Thursday afternoon.
Speaking after the ceremony Beckham also talked about how supportive his wife Victoria had been during his recent move to Madrid, and said he "loved her a lot".
The couple have poured scorn on recent press speculation about difficulties in their marriage since Beckham was transferred to Spain.
Free kick
When asked how important it was for his wife to be at Thursday's ceremony Beckham said: "She's my wife, she's going to be with me whatever happens."
He had dedicated the OBE to the people who have supported him, saying: "It's not just for me but for Manchester United, England, all of my team-mates and my family."
His new team won Wednesday night's match 2-1 against Marseille in the Uefa Champions League, thanks to a Beckham free kick.
After an early morning journey from France to England Beckham arrived at the Palace sporting formal morning dress of black top hat and tails.
Victoria also chose black with a tailored, knee-length outfit and designer feathered hat.
The couple arrived in a chauffeur-driven silver Bentley, followed close behind by Beckham's grandparents in a second Bentley.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair, who recommended Beckham for the OBE, said: "As captain of the England team, David Beckham has performed with great distinction and has been a great ambassador for the country on and off the field."