David Beckham kicked off Wimbledon in celebratory form on Monday, joining his mother Sandra in a Mexican wave from the Royal Box before spotting a television legend and scrambling for a selfie.
The former England captain, 51, arrived on Centre Court in a charcoal grey suit and beige tie alongside his mother, their annual outing to the All England Club. Minutes after settling in, Beckham noticed Dame Mary Berry, the 91-year-old former Great British Bake Off judge, seated nearby — and asked to take a picture with her and Deborah Jevans, the chairwoman of the club. Berry appeared delighted, and was later seen chatting with Beckham and Sandra.
“David Beckham did a Mexican wave with his mother Sandra, then took a selfie with Mary Berry on Wimbledon's first day.”
The group watched defending champion Jannik Sinner survive a five-set thriller against Miomir Kecmanovic, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. They also took in women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s match against Teodora Kostovic.
Beckham made the 3,500-mile trip from New Jersey after watching England beat Panama 2-0 in the World Cup on Saturday. During the afternoon he bumped into Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, a figure who prevented England from boycotting a Euro 2004 qualifier when he worked in the England set-up 23 years ago.
The Beckham family drama hovered in the background. His appearance came amid a feud with his wife Lady Victoria and their son Brooklyn, who posted an explosive statement accusing his parents of “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding”. Lady Beckham told The Wall Street Journal: “We love our children so much” and have “always tried to be the best parents”.
Other celebrities in the Royal Box included Sir Mark Rylance, who chatted with Dame Mary, Sir Cliff Richard in black suit and silver trousers, Tess Daly in white alongside her friend Gayle Lawton, and Pointless host Alexander Armstrong.