The bee’s knees! How Becks charmed King… and now he’s been made the first ambassador for King Charles’s key charity, could he be a step closer to becoming Sir David?

As a footballer, his artistry on the pitch elevated him to sporting royalty. Now David Beckham has won official recognition from King Charles by becoming an ambassador for his charity.

As his appointment was announced tonight, the former England captain said he was ‘excited’ to have been chosen for the prestigious role at the King’s Foundation, following a meeting with Charles at his beloved Highgrove Estate.

He is the first ambassador to be named by the charity since Charles was crowned, and the move is certain to increase speculation that Beckham’s long-held dream of a knighthood could finally become reality.

Speaking about his new role, Beckham said: ‘I’m excited to be working with the King’s Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.

‘I’ve always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the foundation’s education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.’

The foundation, established in 1986 when Charles was Prince of Wales, is run from Dumfries House in Scotland. It aims to support ‘sustainable communities’ and spearheads education courses for young people, often with a focus on rural skills.

Beckham, 49, was invited to the King’s Gloucestershire estate last month to meet the monarch, 75, and enjoy a tour of the luxuriant gardens, which span 15 acres and are cared for by the foundation. Highgrove is a treasured personal home for the King, but is also the base for educational workshops funded by the charity, whose students live and study at Highgrove.

Charming pictures from their meeting show Beckham laughing and smiling with an equally relaxed and cheerful King.