We’ve seen David Beckham wear many hats—football icon, fashion mogul, proud dad, even beekeeper.
But now, he’s adding an unexpected title to the list: guest editor of Country Life magazine. Yes, really.
Hot on the heels of his heartwarming chat with King Charles at the Chelsea Flower Show and a growing bond over their shared love of gardening, Beckham is stepping into editorial territory.
And it’s not just any issue—it’s a personal, one-off edition celebrating everything he loves about rural life.
Beckham’s Countryside Passion Takes Center Stage
It’s not just a gimmick. David’s love for the countryside has grown genuinely over the years.
He and wife Victoria bought their stunning £12 million mansion in the Cotswolds back in 2016, and ever since, he’s become something of a rural enthusiast—getting hands-on with beekeeping, vegetable growing, and even sharing homemade honey with the King himself.
Now, with this guest-edited issue of Country Life, Beckham is ready to share that countryside passion with readers.
The edition will feature his favourite recipe, a showcase of rural champions, and profiles of the artisans and craftspeople who’ve helped shape his Cotswolds home. It’s personal, heartfelt, and very Beckham.
Following Royal Footsteps in Editorial Style
David joins a very exclusive club of Country Life guest editors.
King Charles himself has taken on the role twice—once for his 65th birthday and again for his 70th.
Princess Anne and Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) have also helmed special editions. Camilla’s issue in 2022 even became a record-breaking sell-out.
So Beckham is in elite company. But as Country Life Editor-in-Chief Mark Hedges shared, he’s more than qualified.
“David told me as soon as we met that he reads every issue cover to cover,” Hedges recalled.
“It’s been a great companion as he’s built a life in the countryside.”
Beckham’s Excitement About the Role
David, now 50, didn’t hide his enthusiasm. “I am honoured to have been invited to guest edit a magazine that I have always admired and read,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the editorial team to produce an issue that celebrates what the countryside and the great British landscape mean to me and my family.”
His admiration for Country Life isn’t new. When he first met Mark Hedges nearly two years ago, he gushed about the magazine and how it’s become a staple in his rural lifestyle.
A Royal Friendship Blossoming
Beckham’s rural journey has brought him closer to King Charles in ways you might not expect.
At last month’s Chelsea Flower Show, the two shared a warm moment outside the Highgrove stand, which is run by the King’s Foundation—a charity Beckham now supports as an ambassador.
The King even asked Beckham if he’d received the birthday gift he and Queen Camilla had sent. “You got it, didn’t you?” Charles asked.
Beckham replied with a beaming smile, “It was incredible, thank you—it was very kind.”
Camilla chimed in too, saying, “Glad you got the roses.”
Finally—A Knighthood on the Horizon?
As if guest editing a national treasure of a magazine wasn’t enough, there’s more big news: David Beckham is finally set to be knighted.
After years of speculation and previous snubs, the former England captain is expected to be honoured in King Charles’ upcoming Birthday Honours list.
It’s a long time coming for the football icon who represented England 115 times, captained the team for six years, and has remained a global ambassador not just for sport, but for charitable causes, including UNICEF and now The King’s Foundation.
What’s Next for Sir David?
Between his countryside adventures, business ventures—including co-owning Inter Miami CF and Salford City FC—and now editorial work, Beckham continues to evolve in the spotlight.
This special Country Life issue won’t just be another celebrity vanity project—it’s shaping up to be a heartfelt tribute to the rural lifestyle that’s become such a big part of his post-football world.
And for Editor-in-Chief Mark Hedges, the timing couldn’t be more special—it’ll mark his 1,000th issue at the helm of the magazine.
“I know David has a deep love of the countryside, and I’m excited to see what he brings to this special edition,” Hedges said.
It’s Beckham like you’ve never seen him—pitch-perfect, just in a very different kind of field.