David Beckham got emotional when he said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II after standing in line for more than 12 hours to pay his respects to the late monarch.
The British football star was bitten on Friday while wiping tears in Westminster Hall. He was also seen burying his head in his hands while standing with other mourners.
He appeared to be in line at 2:00 a.m. Friday morning without his famous family and waited more than 12 hours to see the Queen in state.
Beckham didn’t seem to mind the attention he was getting in line and reportedly even bought a bunch of lucky fans donuts to keep them energized while waiting in the long line, one person tweeted.
Beckham was dressed in mourning clothes, wearing a black suit and a black flat cap. He took off his cap as he entered the hall.
A source told the Daily Mail that Beckham had originally gone under the radar and was not photographed by fans out of respect, but that all changed as the day wore on, with many onlookers gathered around the star to try and take pictures.
“My best friend’s mom has been right in front of him the whole time and he’s been in line for ten hours so far, just like her,” says Lizzy Lloyd. tweetedadding: “My friends mom says he was in line at about 2am. He bought the people around him donuts.”
Lloyd also added that Beckham “agreed to have photos once he paid his respects to Her Majesty.”
Several people praised Beckham for waiting in line for more than 12 hours, despite being a celebrity and at risk of being seen and approached by fans.
“Without all the ‘Wah, it’s actually hard to be a celebrity,’ it’s pretty rowdy to come in front of David Beckham alone and stand in line for ten hours, when everyone would recognize him. GOLDEN BALLS,” one tweeted.
“I think it’s great that he did this and didn’t choose the fast track,” said another.
Beckham shared how grateful he was to be able to say goodbye to the ruler he so admired after his long wait.
“I was so lucky to have a few moments in my life to be near Her Majesty,” he told ITV News on Friday. “A sad day, but it is a day to remember the incredible legacy she left behind.”
Beckham said he was “devastated” after the Queen died last week.
“I am really saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we have seen for the Platinum Jubilee for her lifetime of service,” he wrote in a social media post at the time. “How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership.
“How she comforted us in difficult times. Until her last days, she served her country with dignity and grace.”
He added: “This year she would have known how much loved she was”, adding that his “thoughts and prayers” are with the royal family.
Beckham had met the Queen several times, including a gathering at Buckingham Palace in 2015 and an awards ceremony in 2002.