David Beckham is set to represent King Charles in a new project that is close to both of their hearts, in his first major announcement since receiving his knighthood. The soccer legend will join horticulturist, author and TV presenter Frances Tophill in creating a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which will be held in May 2026. Beckham and horticulturist Alan Titchmarsh will serve as ambassadors for The King’s Foundation as they support Tophill’s creation, her first ever at the famous show. In a press release announcing his new role, Beckham, 50, said, “My love for the countryside started when I was a child visiting my grandparents. I’ve experienced how rewarding gardening can be, and that’s why I’m looking forward to working with The RHS and The King’s Foundation on their Curious Garden at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I hope we inspire people to get outside into nature and to try something new.” The theme of a “Curious Garden” will be designed to “encourage the nation to discover the joy of getting curious about gardening and the vital contribution plants make to the health of people, places and planet,” the release explained. Like the King, Beckham is an avid gardener and lover of “country life.” Since his retirement from playing soccer, he began raising chickens and tending to bees at his family home in the Cotswolds. He even joined King Charles at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate the opening of the monarch’s new Highgrove Shop, which features products made and sourced at Highgrove House, the private residence of the King and Queen Camilla. “I’m so excited to be working with them and @alantitchmarshcbe to encourage young people to consider careers in horticulture,” Beckham captioned some photos from the outing. The 2026 Flower Show garden will be built with the help of apprentices and trainees from the King’s Foundation and highlight the craftsmanship of the foundation’s woodworking students and graduates. In participating in the Flower Show himself, Beckham is following a notable royal lead. In 2019, Kate Middleton designed a “Back to Nature”-themed garden for the event. The Princess of Wales, 43, shared her creation in an adorable video, showing her children Prince George, then 5, Princess Charlotte, then 4, and Prince Louis, then 1 playing in the garden’s flowing water and on a rope swing. Beckham has shared a close connection with the royal family throughout the years, attending the weddings of both Prince William and Prince Harry and contributing to their various causes. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the soccer legend was knighted by the King for his “services to sport and charity” in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The honor came a year after he officially became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, with an aim to inspire young people to develop their interests in horticulture. “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,” David said in a statement at the time.
https://people.com/david-beckham-first-major-announcement-knighthood-tie-kate-middleton-11854524