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Football star David Beckham has made his hopes to be knighted over the years no secret – and, now the star is closer than ever, his impending knighthood might be under threat.

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David, 50, is set to finally get his wish as it’s been reported he is due to receive the honour in King Charles’ upcoming Birthday Honours List, which is set to be announced this month by The Gazette.

It has been claimed David is set to become a Sir while his wife Victoria Beckham will become Lady Beckham, as David will be reportedly named in the Kings Birthday Honours list next week.

However, the early announcement of Beckham’s reported knighthood could risk him losing the title before its officially awarded, a source has told the Mirror.

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David Beckham has made no secrets of his dreams of a knighthood over the years(Image: Getty Images)

A source has told us: “David’s long-awaited knighthood could be on the ropes after the news leaked.”

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“David has wanted this knighthood for many years so the last thing he needs is the horse bolting before he’s able to close the stable door. But, there are rules and protocols that those being awarded Honours must abide by – including a strict embargo on keeping hush hush before The Gazette shares the list.”

The Gazette is the UK’s official public record, in which the official Honours Lists are released alongside other public notices and information.

Meanwhile, Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator and former Editor of The International Who’s Who, explains: “There is a theoretical threat that names leaked before the Honours List is officially announced could have their honours removed. This is highly unlikely especially given the number of high-profile names leaked ahead of receiving their honours in the past, which have included Barbara Windsor and Tim Henman.

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“A whistleblower revealed Tim Henman’s upcoming OBE award in December 2003. The leak included a memo from the main Honours committee and prompted concerns about the process, which ultimately led to much-needed reform,.

“Also, news of the late Barbara Windsor’s Damehood in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list was released, together with others, before the official announcement. This caused controversy, prompting an inquiry.”

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He added: “However, Honours list leaks aren’t new, In 2019, a government report containing names and addresses of recipients was accidentally published. Also, a leak in 2003 revealed a secret list of 300 who had previously declined honours.”

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“It appears there periodically seems to be a ‘mole’ in the system,” Richard suggested, before he added: “If the leak had come from David’s camp, then there may be a risk to his knighthood, but that most emphatically does not seem to be the case.”