Pay his respects to the crown.
David Beckham praised the ‘loving’ royal family after Queen Elizabeth II’s emotional funeral on Monday.
“Our Queen is home… Today we said goodbye to Her Majesty the Queen. This week the world has mourned the loss of a unique, inspiring and caring leader,” Beckham wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the late monarch’s coffin.
He continued: “People from all walks of life gathered by the thousands to show gratitude for our beloved Queen. In addition to the incredible ceremony and tradition, we have seen a loving family mourn a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with dignity and devotion .”
The former athlete, 47, closed the heartfelt post by saying that the late queen’s “legacy of servitude and devotion to duty will continue,” adding: “long live the king.”
Beckham previously commented on social media how “devastated” he was after the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96.
“I am really saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the platinum anniversary for her lifetime of service,” he wrote in part on Instagram. “How devastated we all feel today, shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world.”
On Friday, the legendary footballer waited more than 12 hours in line to say goodbye to the late Queen, who reigned for more than 70 years, while she lay in Westminster Hall. He tried to cheer those around him when onlookers said he bought donuts for people.
When he reached the queen’s coffin, he was seen wiping away tears before bowing his head.
Beckham was able to stay under the radar for the first few hours, but fans started to recognize the star and asked for photos as the sun came up – which he apparently declined until he had “paid his respects to Her Majesty.”
“I was so lucky to have a few moments in my life to be near Her Majesty,” Beckham told ITV News as he waited in line. “A sad day, but it is a day to remember the incredible legacy she left behind.”
Many people praised Beckham on social media for choosing to wait in line instead of using his celebrity privileges to get ahead.
“Without all the ‘Wah, it’s actually hard to be a celebrity,’ it’s pretty rowdy to show up for David Beckham alone and stand in line for ten hours, when everyone would recognize him. GOLDENBALLSY,” tweeted one person.
“I love that he did this and didn’t pick the fast track,” added another.
The famed athlete had met the Queen many times and was even appointed a Beckham OBE, a knighthood, by the late Sovereign for his services to British football in 2003.