Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Dropped from £26M Birmingham Invictus Plan by Luke Pollard MP After Johnny Mercer’s Loss
Prince Harry is undoubtedly grappling with strong emotions following the loss of his key ally in the UK Parliament, Johnny Mercer. Mercer’s defeat in the recent election poses significant challenges for Harry’s efforts to bring the Invictus Games back to the UK in 2027, as reported by the BBC.
According to BBC sources, Johnny Mercer was among several prominent Conservative Party members who lost their seats in the 2024 general election, which saw the Labour Party achieve a sweeping victory. Mercer, the former Minister for Veterans Affairs, lost the Plymouth Moor View seat, which he had held since 2015, to Labour’s Fred Thomas. With this change, Plymouth is now fully represented by Labour MPs, while Luke Pollard retained his Plymouth Sutton and Devonport seat.
The loss of Mercer raises questions about who will now champion the Invictus Games in Birmingham, previously a focus for Prince Harry’s initiatives. All but one of Birmingham’s constituencies have declared Labour victories, a party not traditionally known for its strong support of the armed forces.
Harry’s relationship with Mercer was notable despite controversies. They shared a bond partly due to their experiences in Afghanistan, although Harry’s service was under the protection of British security, unlike Mercer’s frontline roles. Despite personal rapport, court documents revealed Harry’s characterization of Mercer as a “loose cannon” following Harry’s breach of confidentiality rules by sharing private information with Mercer, including details of a security claim against the Home Office.
Their camaraderie was evident when they were photographed together enjoying pints at the 2022 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany. Mercer had been instrumental in the government’s efforts to host the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
With Mercer’s electoral defeat, Harry faces the challenge of finding a new influential supporter within Parliament to advance his goals for the Invictus Games. This setback necessitates establishing new alliances and diligently navigating political dynamics to ensure the event’s success in the UK.
The British royal family can’t seem to catch a break from the constant stream of drama and controversy. Just when it seemed like tensions were starting to cool between Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, and the rest of the Royals, a bombshell claim has emerged that may rock the couple’s already shaky marriage to the core.
According to Lady Colin Campbell, a prominent British socialite, author, and former “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here” contestant, Prince Harry has secretly reached out to divorce lawyers, indicating that he and Meghan are headed for a split. If true, this would mark the end of one of the most talked-about royal marriages in recent history.
Lady Colin Campbell is known for her intimate knowledge of the British royal family, having written multiple books about their personal lives and relationships. She claims to have sources close to the Palace who have provided her with insider information about the tensions brewing between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royal family.
The rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royals has been well-documented over the past several years, ever since Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, in which they made a number of damning allegations against the monarchy. The couple has been at odds with Buckingham Palace, and relations reached a new low earlier this year when the Sussexes traveled to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations but were largely excluded from the official events.
Now, Lady Colin Campbell claims that the tensions have escalated to the point where Prince Harry has begun quietly exploring his legal options for divorce. In a YouTube video posted on her channel, Campbell stated that her sources have confirmed that “Harry has been in touch with divorced lawyers.”
“I’ve been told by two people of impeccable integrity, and I have not a shadow of doubt about their veracity, that Harry has been in touch with divorced lawyers,” Campbell said. She went on to allege that the decision to separate was largely driven by Meghan, who has become increasingly unhappy with life in the UK and the royal family.
“Meghan has decided that she wants out,” Campbell claimed. “Harry is, of course, since he loves her, going along with what she wants.”
The implications of these revelations, if true, would have seismic implications not just for Harry and Meghan but for the entire Royal Family. A high-profile divorce between the couple would undoubtedly spark a fresh wave of tabloid frenzy and damage the monarchy’s reputation even further. Moreover, a split would likely reignite the bitter tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royals, with Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, already strained.
It’s important to note that Lady Colin Campbell’s claims have not been officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes themselves. Royal watchers have long been skeptical of Campbell’s reliability, and some have accused her of peddling unsubstantiated gossip. Additionally, Harry and Meghan have not made any public statements about the state of their marriage or potential divorce proceedings, as the couple has been notoriously private about their personal life.
Ultimately, the fate of Harry and Meghan’s marriage remains uncertain. While Lady Colin Campbell’s allegations are certainly attention-grabbing, they should be taken with a grain of salt until more concrete evidence emerges. One thing is clear, however: the drama surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is far from over.
Breaking news: Meghan Markle officially stripped of royal succession rights by Prince Charles: The Duchess immediately seeks “allies” to retaliate.
Meghan Markle’s demand for an inheritance from Prince Charles was ultimately cancelled due to various intricate factors that intersected within the realms of royal tradition, legal constraints, and personal dynamics. The request, which may have seemed reasonable on the surface, triggered a series of deliberations and considerations that led to its eventual withdrawal. To unravel the complexities surrounding this issue, we need to delve deeper into the specifics of royal finances, the nuances of inheritances within the monarchy, and the broader implications of Meghan’s status as a member of the royal family.
First and foremost, it is crucial to recognize that the British royal family operates within a highly structured framework when it comes to financial matters. The funding sources for senior royals are primarily derived from the Sovereign Grant, which is allocated by the government and covers official expenses such as staff salaries, travel costs, and maintenance of royal residences. This system is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds to support the monarchy’s activities.
However, inheritances within the royal family are governed by a different set of rules and protocols. While it is not uncommon for members of the royal family to receive inheritances from their relatives, the specifics of such transactions are often shrouded in secrecy and subject to internal negotiations. In Meghan Markle’s case, her request for an inheritance from Prince Charles raised eyebrows due to the unprecedented nature of the demand and the implications it carried for the established protocols within the royal household.
Moreover, Meghan’s status as a former senior royal who had stepped back from official duties further complicated the situation. Her departure from the royal fold had already sparked debates and speculation about her financial arrangements and future prospects within the royal family. Against this backdrop, her request for an inheritance from Charles could have been perceived as a calculated move to assert her financial independence and secure her position within the royal hierarchy.
Additionally, the personal dynamics between Meghan Markle and the members of the royal family cannot be overlooked in this context. Tensions and rifts that had emerged during her time as a working royal continued to cast a shadow over her interactions with the royal household. The dynamics of power, influence, and reputation management played a significant role in shaping the responses to Meghan’s request for an inheritance, highlighting the complexities of navigating personal relationships within the royal family.
Ultimately, the decision to cancel Meghan Markle’s demand for an inheritance from Prince Charles was likely influenced by a combination of these factors. The need to uphold the traditional protocols and values of the monarchy, the complexities of financial arrangements within the royal household, and the personal dynamics at play all converged to lead to the withdrawal of the request. While the specifics of the discussions and negotiations that took place behind closed doors may remain confidential, the broader implications of this episode shed light on the intricate web of relationships and power dynamics that define the world of the British royal family.
Meghan Markle’s demand for an inheritance from Prince Charles was cancelled due to a complex interplay of factors that encompassed royal traditions, legal constraints, and personal dynamics. By examining the nuances of royal finances, the protocols of inheritances within the monarchy, and the broader implications of Meghan’s status as a former senior royal, we can gain a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics that shaped the outcome of this episode. The cancellation of Meghan’s request serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that accompany life within the royal family, highlighting the delicate balance between tradition, modernity, and personal agency in navigating the intricacies of royal life.
Roy Keane didn’t hesitate when naming the England player who gets into every team in world football
One England player has really impressed Roy Keane at Euro 2024.
Roy Keane didn’t hesitate for a second when naming an England player he believes would start for any team in the world.
England have severely underwhelmed at Euro 2024, yet for the third time in four major tournaments, Gareth Southgate’s side find themselves in the semi-finals.
They needed penalties to overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals, with Jordan Pickford saving one attempt and all five England players converting their spot-kicks.
The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament when Breel Embolo gave the Swiss the lead in the 75th minute, but five minutes later Bukayo Saka produced a superb strike to level the score.
Saka went on to exercise his Euro 2020 penalty demons by scoring in the shootout, and was presented with the UEFA Player of the Match award.
The Arsenal man has been one of England’s better performers in Germany, and in the eyes of former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, he would start for any team in the world.
“Bukayo Saka would get in probably every team in the world, obviously when he’s at the top of his game,” Keane said on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.
“We talk about [Jude] Bellingham and all this… Saka has played a lot of football for a young kid hasn’t he. [There is] a lot of demands at Arsenal to be the top man week-in-week out, it’s not easy when you’re an attacking player.”
Former England defender Gary Neville echoed Keane’s thoughts, arguing that Saka is universally loved by all fans.
“I think it’s really difficult to be universally popular, and I think he achieves that Saka,” Neville said.
“I think Saka is someone who is popular with every fan. I don’t think there are any fans in the country who think ‘I’m not sure about Saka. He’s loveable, as a person and the way he plays.”
England will take on the Netherlands on Wednesday for a place in the final.
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Prince Harry’s eight-word admission after removing Prince William’s secret from Spare
Prince Harry claimed that he stripped out a lot of the content for his bombshell memoir, Spare, which involved his brother, Prince William.
Following the release of Spare, Harry claimed he omitted a number of stories (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry revealed intimate details about his feelings towards the Royal Family in his bombshell memoir, Spare, and on TV during a global interview with Oprah Winfrey, unsurprisingly sparking a huge fallout within the Firm. Despite Prince Harry spilling lots of royal secrets, he claims there is information he chose to omit.
Following the release of Spare in January 2023, he spoke to the Telegraph and made an unexpected claim that he had actually excluded a number of stories about both his father and brother. He also made the unexpected eight-word admission as to why the decision was made, stating “I don’t think they would ever forgive me”.
The Duke of Sussex explained: “It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out. There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”
Despite the removal of some anecdotes, it appears the stories he chose to share were not easy to digest for his relatives, as Prince William has not chosen to meet with Prince Harry since the publication of the book.
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Prince Harry shared intimate details about his feelings towards his family publicly (Image: Getty)
Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “Harry’s visit to the UK has done nothing to repair royal relations – Harry has been very publicly snubbed by his father and brother. [William] says nothing. It is as if Harry no longer exists. There’s been no obvious criticism from either side, but the silence from William is deafening.”
Prince Harry visited the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games held at St Paul’s Cathedral, but no meeting was held between Harry and the Firm.
Details emerged in Spare with claims William had physically attacked Harry, and that Charles was jealous of Meghan, fearing that she had the potential to “dominate the monarchy”.
Claiming that his father had said he couldn’t afford to maintain the Sussexes, the memoir said: “Pa might have dreaded the rising cost of maintaining us, but what he really couldn’t stomach was someone new dominating the monarchy, grabbing the limelight, someone shiny and new coming in and overshadowing him.”
Prince Harry did make, however, a fleeting visit to the UK in February 2024, after the monarch revealed his cancer diagnosis, but his visit lasted under 25 hours before he flew back to America.
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Prince Harry last saw King Charles in February after his cancer diagnosis (Image: Getty)
According to an insider who spoke to The Times in early May during Harry’s UK visit, King Charles. was “wary” of meeting his youngest son due to the “publicity circus” surrounding their relationship.
“It’s all very sad. While it is true that the King is understandably wary about meeting with Harry, given the publicity circus that seems to surround all such visits, he did of course agree to see his son at the most vulnerable moment of his illness [in February], and at very short notice.”
Perhaps because of the shocking revelations, Prince Harry’s explosive memoir Spare was crowned the best-selling book of 2023.
According to The Bookseller, the memoir sold more than 700,000 copies last year. It put it 180,000 sales ahead of The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman in second place.
Royal Family LIVE: Prince Harry’s ‘whole life plan’ at threat after major ‘regret’
A royal expert claims “the glamour is definitely wearing off” for Prince Harry and his life in America with Meghan Markle.
Harry’s new life in America has hit a roadblock (Image: Getty)
It is believed Prince Harry’s new life in the US is becoming “uncomfortable” with the glamour of living in California “definitely wearing off”, claims a royal author. The Duke eventually relocated to Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle after stepping down as a working royal in 2020, and he has settled in a £12million mansion with his two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, two.
Royal expert and author, Tom Quinn told the Mirror Harry’s initial delight with moving to America is fading. He said: “During his first six months in the States Harry found everything new and exciting, but the glamour is definitely wearing off. However big your garden and Harry and Meghan’s garden at Montecito is enormous, there’s only so much you can do when you have no practical skills and you have always paid people to cook, clean and garden for you.”
He added although Meghan is in her “natural environment” it is still an “unfamiliar world” for the Prince. However, Harry’s new life has also hit a roadblock with the initiation of a lawsuit by The Heritage Foundation, a think tank group. It comes as Prince Harry’s US visa application is being reviewed by a judge following his admissions about his use of drugs in his memoir Spare, something which he is said to seriously ‘regret’.
The Heritage Foundation launched a lawsuit against Harry to determine whether he lied on his full-time visa application when he moved to America. The royal expert said: “The couple have taken legal advice because they’re seriously worried that if Donald Trump wins the next election Harry’s visa may be revoked. Trump has insisted that if Harry is found to have lied on his visa application about his admitted drug taking, he could be asked to leave the country.”
He added Harry’s whole life plan could be threatened: “Harry initially thought this couldn’t possibly happen to him as the normal rules don’t apply to a Royal Prince, but he is increasingly realising that in the United States being a Prince doesn’t actually count for very much.”
As Wimbledon 2023 gets underway, the Royal Family will once again be out in full force at the All England Lawn Tennis Club – and one tennis star has a unique link to the royals through her fiance
As Wimbledon swings into action once more, royal watchers are keen to know when they’ll spot members of the Royal Family in the stands. Regular attendees include The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Duke of Kent.
Many famous tennis players have ties with the royals, from Rafael Nadal’s close friendship with The Princess of Wales to Serena Williams’ strong bond with The Duchess of Sussex. However, there’s another connection between a world-renowned tennis star and Prince William, courtesy of her fiancé.
Tennis ace Maria Sharapova has been in a relationship with Alexander Gilkes since 2018, and they announced their engagement on December 17, 2021. In April 2021, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child who was born in July 2022.
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Image: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
This puts Sharapova in the unique position of being the latest tennis player linked to the Royal Family, as her fiancé is a good friend of both Prince William and Prince Harry.
Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes, a Londoner born in July 1979, has made a name for himself in the art world, using connections that date back to his time at Eton College and later at the University of Bristol. He shared his Eton years with Prince William, and has kept a close bond with the future king.
He also has a link to Kate through his brother Charlie Gilkes, who previously dated Pippa Middleton. Alexander Gilkes, a prominent figure in the art world, co-founded the online auction house Paddle8 back in 2011 and was at the helm as president until his departure in 2018. His connections to royalty include Princess Eugenie, who spent some time working at Paddle8.
Before he started dating tennis superstar Maria Sharapova in 2018, Gilkes was married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo, who is friends with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and is rumoured to have set them up.
The couple announced their engagement on Instagram in 2021, with Maria sharing: “I said yes from the first day we met. This was our little secret, wasn’t it @gilkesa.” Gilkes also expressed his joy, posting: “Thank you for making me a very very happy boy. I look forward to a lifetime of loving you, and learning from you @mariasharapova.”
Prince Harry was ‘stunned’ by the backlash he faced after being nominated for an award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan, sources have claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is due to be honoured with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
Tillman, an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11, had his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed in friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.
His mother Mary, who said she was not consulted about Prince Harry being given the award bearing her son’s name, told the Mail last week: ‘I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
‘These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.’
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Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan) was ‘stunned’ by the backlash he faced after being nominated for an award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan, sources have claimed
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Tillman (pictured), an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11, had his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed in friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago
The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) is run by the sports TV network ESPN and the Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.
Last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.
ESPN said Harry was being honoured for his ‘tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport’ with his Invictus Games.
But the decision to honour him has led to a backlash.
Sources told The Telegraph that it is a ‘bitter pill to swallow’ when the Duke of Sussex is criticised about anything relating to his military record and work with veterans.
‘Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that’s his real passion,’ they said. ‘This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.’
The source acknowledged that it was similar to when Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot was recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January.
As he joined the likes of astronauts Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell in picking up the prestigious award, Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, brutally said: ‘He is not a living legend’.
The latest backlash began almost straight after ESPN announced on June 27 that Harry would be given the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
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The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot
A petition to urge ESPN to reasses its decision boasted almost 68,000 signatures in ten days.
Do you think Prince Harry deserves the ESPY Awards nomination?
It said: ‘Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honour, and sacrifice.’
‘He gave up his successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks, and tragically lost his life during his service. Awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.’
Former NFL player Pat McAfee also waded in, saying: ‘We should celebrate sports. The worldwide leaders should celebrate sport but doing something like this is obviously trying to p*** people off.’
He said they should create a new category just for the duke. ‘How about it’s like ESPY for Royal Family member who doesn’t want to be called ‘Royal Family member’ who loves sports?’
Jake Wood, a former Pat Tillman Award winner, later defended Prince Harry on TMZ Live, saying: ‘He’s a royal prince, there’s 100 different things he could have done with his life after his service in the British Armed Forces but he’s chosen to dedicate a big portion of his post-military life to helping veterans.’
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The source acknowledged that it was similar to when Harry was recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January (pictured)
Pat Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger.
He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for bravery.
A spokesman for ESPN previously said: ‘ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honouring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world.
‘While we understand not everyone will agree with all honourees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.’
When the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis to the world via a video message on March 22, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a statement, saying—particularly in light of the rampant conspiracy theories that surrounded Kate at the time—that “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
As Kate continues to receive treatment for cancer—but has returned to the public eye, which happened on June 15 at the annual Trooping the Colour parade and flypast—Harry and Meghan are “desperately” trying to connect with Kate, OK reports, and “hope to trigger a truce,” the outlet writes.
The relationship between the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remains fractured after years of tension.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“Both Harry and Meghan have been following Kate’s recovery with huge interest, but, sadly, it’s had to be more from afar because their lines of communication with the Palace and the Waleses, in particular, are very limited, to say the least,” a source said. “They have had enough information to know that people are excited about the idea of a comeback for Kate, and they’re both relieved and happy to hear that she’s on the mend and may soon be well enough to return to her duties.”
They added that “They’ve jointly reached out to send well-wishes, but they’re still not really in a place with Kate to warrant much of a response,” but, that said, it “hasn’t stopped them from trying to connect.”
It likely, at this point, doesn’t need to be said that the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family have had strained relationships within the past few years, but health scares—both for the royal family and any family—are a great unifier, and often put life into perspective.
Harry has called Kate the sister he never had in the past; the two used to be extremely close.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
As Kate comes back into the public eye after being away from it nearly for the entirety of 2024, the source said that it is Harry and Meghan’s hope that her recovery could “possibly trigger a truce with her and [Prince] William, and with the King, too,” they said. Though she and Kate haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, when it comes to Meghan, “her heart does go out to Kate—she can only imagine how hard this situation must be for her,” they said. “Meghan has made it clear she’d love nothing more than to move past all the nonsense and find a way towards healing for everyone’s sake. She’s ready to let the anger and bitterness go.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun that a public message of support could be a way for the Sussexes to offer an olive branch, and, as for the possibility of a reconciliation between the Sussexes and the royal family, he said “You never know what may happen. I think it’s abundantly clear that any rift is undesirable, and when individuals are ill who are involved in it, it makes it even more undesirable.” In addition to Kate battling cancer, so too is King Charles, Harry’s father.
The health scares of 2024 have, no doubt, put life into perspective for every member of the royal family, including both couples.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A source told The Sun, in response to Fitzwilliams’ suggestion, that “I must express that this perspective appears somewhat one-sided. For the sake of balanced reporting, it is important to acknowledge that relationships are reciprocal. It would not be entirely fair to place the sole responsibility of mending the relationship on the Duke and Duchess [of Sussex].”
But mending fences has to start somewhere, and, as Fitzwilliams correctly pointed out, “Time can heal things. Serious illness can certainly change things.”
“I said to [my hair stylist], ‘I’m gonna cut my hair’ and he was like, ‘Are you sure? You really want to do that?,’ ” Beckham recalls in his new Netflix
PHOTO: MIKE MARSLAND/WIREIMAGE; DAVE HOGAN/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY
David Beckham is getting candid about one of his most buzzed about hair changes.
The Netflix docuseries Beckham delved into several parts of the former soccer player’s life — including the dramatic story of what happened behind the scenes when he got a buzz cut in 2000.
“I had a hairdresser at the time called Tyler. I said to him, ‘I’m gonna cut my hair’ and he was like, ‘Are you sure? You really want to do that?,’ ” Beckham explained in the third episode of the docuseries.
He said his Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson confronted him about the change ahead of their match against Leicester City in March 2000. “And [Ferguson] said, ‘David take the cap off.’ And I said, ‘No.’”
David Beckham Was ‘So Open’ to Telling His Full Life Story for Netflix Doc, Says Director (Exclusive)
“Stubbornness,” Ferguson recalled. “And then I said, ‘Oh well.’”
When Beckham debuted his new buzz cut on the field during the game, the commenters noted, “the blonde locks have gone” and “the sight of the skinhead will take a bit of getting used to.”
David Beckham of Manchester United in action during the FA Carling Premiership match against Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.SHAUN BOTTERILL /ALLSPORT
Though the former soccer player noted: “I never did it to create attention. I’m not that person.”
Despite his intentions, the new hairdo — along with his continued success on the field — drew lots of attention from his fans across the U.K. Hundreds of fans wanted to see his new look for the first time and footage showed them standing in long lines for an autograph.
Victoria Beckham on the ‘Hardest Period’ in Her Marriage to David: ‘The Most Unhappy I’ve Ever Been’
“When David Beckham shaved his head, I honestly thought a member of my family had died. Because my phone went off.” said James Clarke, a Manchester paparazzi. “The panic in people’s voices that this… We haven’t got it documented yet.”
He noted that it became a huge pop culture moment in the U.K., as other men and even his young fans were hoping to become just like him.
“Literally kids, ‘I want to be David Beckham, I want to shave my head. And schools were having to write in, ‘No shaving of heads,’ “ Clarke said.
SANDRA BEHNE/BONGARTS/GETTY
Victoria Beckham, 49, recalled in the docuseries that her husband shaving his head was a moment where he “starts going from a boy to a man.”
“And it’s only natural that you’ll start flexing your muscles right? And don’t all kids rebel against their parents?,” she said, alluding to Sir Alex’s role as Beckham’s secondary father figure.
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The full docuseries goes over the legendary athlete’s story, which is broken into four parts and told through varying perspectives. It also includes interviews with his parents, former teammates and Ferguson.
“He was so open,” said director Fisher Stevens about Beckham. “He’s like, ‘I’m ready. I want to tell my story before someone else does.’ And then I started doing research and I was like, ‘Jesus, this guy’s life is nuts. Nuts.’ I had no idea.”
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