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Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu was one of the big winners at the 2023 Ethnicity Awards, with the star-studded event creating emotional scenes as late BBC newsreader George Alagiah was honoured posthumously

It was an emotional night in London as the 2023 Ethnicity Awards celebrated a whole host of inspirational stars, including some who are sadly no longer with us.

Hosted by Loose Women panellist Judi Love, the prestigious event saw the likes of ‌Big Brother host AJ Odudu, Ozwald Boateng, Rita Ora, Steven Bartlett and Eni Aluko all win big, with fashion guru Gok Wan recognised for using his “experiences and platform” to champion good causes.

There were emotional scenes as Frances Alagiah, wife of late BBC News presenter George Alagiah, collected a posthumous Services To Journalism award on behalf of her late husband, who passed away from bowel cancer in July. BBC newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti had earlier penned a touching tribute to her colleague George, which was included in the event programme for the celebrity attendees to read.

Judi Love presented the star-studded event ( 
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Getty Images)

Gok Wan was presented with the Role Model award ( 
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Getty Images)
The star-studded bash in Mayfair, London, was attended by stars including Eastenders actor Brian Conley, Love Island couple Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, Dawn Butler MP and Dr. Ranj. This Morning star Gok Wan was presented with the Role Model Award in touching scenes at the Investing in Ethnicity Awards in London.

TV personality, author and DJ, Gok, 49, lifted the prestigious award to a standing ovation as his best friend, Brian Conley, who plays Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton in EastEnders, surprised the star by attending the glitzy gala in Mayfair to present the gong.

Fashion legend Ozwald Boateng won the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, while Rita Ora was awarded Music Artist of the Year following a fan vote. Diary of a CEO’s Steven Bartlett was named Inspirational Role Model, while Big Brother host AJ Odudu lifted Presenter of the Year, and former football star and TV pundit Eni Aluko was recognised as Sports Personality of the Year.

The Investing in Ethnicity Awards was hosted for a second consecutive year by Loose Women star, Judi Love. The event, held in partnership with HSBC UK, celebrates the most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK for their achievements and work to promote diversity and inclusion.

George Alagiah was honoured at the star-studded event ( 
Image:
BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

The major celebration welcomed more than 500 celebrities, influential business leaders and politicians to London to honour those driving change and inspiring others. This year’s ceremony was attended by the likes of Loose Women favourite Linda Robson, Love Island pair Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, Dawn Butler MP, Dr. Ranj and TikTok sensation Sabrina Bahsoon, better known as London Tube Girl.

Swimmer Michael Gunning gave out the Social Impact prize to the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, while Judi Love gave her Loose Women colleague Linda Robson a rousing reception as she presented the BT Ethnic Diversity Network with the Network Group or ERG gong.

The Investing in Ethnicity Awards celebrates the individuals and organisations working to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, acknowledging milestones in business, media, politics and grassroots activism. In recent years, Sir Lenny Henry, Alison Hammond, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Alex Scott and Marcus Rashford have lifted prizes at the awards, with Gok Wan and Ozwald Boateng joining an exclusive list of iconic celebrity names.

Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said of this year’s awards: “The 2023 Investing in Ethnicity Awards once again celebrates the Black and Ethnic Minority people who are using their platforms to make a difference and promote equality for all. Every single person who was nominated this evening deserves to be recognised, and their achievements highlight exactly why the Ethnicity Awards remains as important as ever.”

“It was a wonderful night and a true honour to recognise national treasures such as Gok Wan and Ozwald Boateng and trailblazers such as Steven Bartlett, AJ Odudu and Eni Aluko.”

Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, the official partner of the Ethnicity Awards, added: “HSBC UK is incredibly proud to be a long-time partner of the Investing in Ethnicity Awards, recognising people and organisations making a positive impact on diversity, equity and inclusion across the UK.

“Within our own organisation, we continue to take action to increase representation, remove barriers and help open up opportunities for all our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Congratulations to all the incredible role models and change makers who were nominated this year.”

Sunday’s episode of BBC Strictly Come Dancing saw former ITV Emmerdale star Adam Thomas kicked out the competition after going up against Angela Rippon in the dance off

Loose Women star Denise Welch led the fuming viewers slamming Strictly Come Dancing’s action-packed eviction episode on Sunday.

The ITV panel programme presenter fumed after Emmerdale star Adam Thomas was given the boot following a dance-off with Angela Rippon. He was axed alongside dance partner Luba Mushtuk after the weekend’s action-packed instalments.

Angela, 79, and her dance partner Kai Widdrington performed their Waltz to Fascination by Nat King Cole while Adam and Luba performed their Rumba to Dancing On My Own by Callum Scott in a bid to impress the judges.

Denise weighed in on Sunday’s episode of Strictly ( 
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Getty Images)

Adam was axed alongside dancer partner Luba Mushtuk ( 
Image:
PA)

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas unanimously choose to save Angela and Kai. Clearly upset with the episode’s outcome, Denise took to X, formally Twitter, to air her thoughts on the matter.

“Adam should have won that dance off,” she wrote, joining dozens of other viewers who said ‘the wrong person was sent home’. One fan fumed: “Only caught the dance off of this week’s #Strictly and it was clearly the wrong decision?”

Another agreed, writing: “Sorry, wrong decision. Adam had a lot of potential to keep getting better, his scores have been consistently climbing. Angela is great, especially considering her age, but she has a lot of experience, and realistically she won’t get any better than she is now. #strictly.” A third fan wrote: “No hate to Angela at all, because I think she is getting too much negativity from people. But I do think Adam danced better in the dance off, Angela’s waltz was very lumpy. “Sorry but I think the judges made the wrong decision.”

However, some did go against Denise, with another commenting: “I felt that Adam hardly danced and that it was his partner who danced through it all.” And someone else remarked: “Not his dance this week sadly. Angela tipped him at the end.” A third fan agreed: “It was a close call but I think Angela did edge it. Adam’s dance was all Luba.”

As his fate was revealed, Adam said: “Seven incredible weeks, what a journey it’s been. I honestly thought I was leaving in week two and the fact that I’ve got this far I’m so proud of myself, I’ve had an amazing time from start to finish. I came here to learn how to dance and I’ve learned so much more about myself.

“The confidence and self-belief I now have in myself, it’s out of this world I have to thank all these guys up here. What a bunch to be on this journey with, I’m just very, very lucky! I know my kids are at home now probably crying, ‘It’s okay – Daddy’s okay’. I just wanted to teach my kids that it’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about taking part and doing your best. [To Luba] I just want to say thank you to this one and I’m sorry, I wanted to get us to Blackpool.”

Sort Your Life Out star Stacey Solomon returned to Loose Women on Wednesday after 10 months away from the popular panel programme on ITV

Stacey Solomon is back on ITV after 10 months away from Loose Women.

She took a break from the show after welcoming baby Belle with husband Joe Swash, her third child with the TV personality. Stacey has two more children from previous relationships. It was during her time off that fans feared she’d quit for good.

A source claimed recently that Stacey had “outgrown” the show and would not be returning. However, sources confirmed to The Miror that wasn’t the case. An insider close to Stacey exclusively told The Mirror that claims she had parted ways with ITV were “categorically untrue”. A spokesperson for the show added: “These claims are not true. We are looking forward to welcoming Stacey back onto the show soon.”

And now, as the 34-year-old star prepares to make a return to Loose Women today, we take a look at what she’s been up to in her break away from the programme…

Stacey was on Loose Women on Wednesday ( 
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Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Exit rumours

Stacey has made on-off appearances on the ITV daytime show since 2016, with some fans speculating she’d left the star-studded panel completely. Reports suggested Stacey wasn’t coming back to Loose Women after she had “outgrown” the popular panel programme.

An insider had told Woman’s Own magazine that the mum-of-five was wanting to ‘spend more time with her kids’. Falsely calling a “huge blow” to bosses at ITV, they said: “The panellists know Stacey is popular and good for the programme, so they would be gutted to see her go. “She’s outgrown the show. It’s no longer right for Stacey. Loose Women takes up a lot of her time. If she were to leave, it would free her time up a little, especially if she has to be away for longer periods of time with her own shows.”

It was after these reports that The Mirror clarified the claims were “categorically untrue”, with sources close to the 34-year-old confirming her Loose Women return. Last month, A spokesperson for Loose Women also told us: “These claims are not true. We are looking forward to welcoming Stacey back onto the show soon.”

Fifth baby birth

Stacey gave birth to baby Belle in February ( 
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Instagram)

She shared her pregnancy journey online ( 
Image:
Instagram)
Stacey’s substantial break from Loose Women was largely down to the arrival of her now nine-month-old daughter Belle. It was all the way back in February earlier this year that Stacey announced the name of her new baby girl.

Taking to Instagram at the time, she wrote: “Belle, our little Belle. Our beautiful, delicate baby girl. Who will forever remind us of the bluebells that are about to bloom as you bring the spring with you into the world… And a little special connection to your Rose. To the moon and back Belle. Forever and always.”

Stacey and Joe welcomed daughter Rose in October 2021, and their son Rex, three, a few years before. Stacey, who also has two older sons from previous relationships, announced the birth of her Story, sharing a snap of herself taken while pregnant.

Working on other projects before Loose Women return

Stacey had already returned to work way before coming back to the Loose Women panel, only two months after giving birth she was back to work, flying to Paris for a filming job. She didn’t hesitate to get back in front of the camera, bringing baby Belle with her for the journey. “I’m taking Belle with me because I haven’t worked out the breastfeeding thing yet,” she explained on social media at the time.

She also starred in her own TV series, Sort Your Life Out. She featured in season two around the time of her pregnancy before shooting season three. Her latest series began airing in September, so filming days would have likely happened in the months running up to the broadcast date. Not only was she working on her own show, Stacey also worked on her fashion collaborations, her first happening in April.

It was revealed she’d bagged her first collaboration with Primark to create another range of kids’ clothes, ready for the spring and summer seasons. “I think this Spring Summer collection might be my favourite one EVER,” she said at the time. She also did another collaboration with the fashion brand, launching a winter range last month.

Also, in May, Stacey spearheaded another fashion campaign, this time with her friends at In The Style, launching an exclusive summer range, complete with work trips and photoshoots. So it’s safe to say Stacey was well and truly back into business mode merely weeks after welcoming baby Belle, more than six months before her Loose Women return.

Backstage feud rumours

Stacey’s Loose Women return comes amid rumours of a “huge divide” between the young Loose Women panellists and the “older, classic” stars. There’s thought to be a rift caused after the “young ones refuse to get caught up in the drama”, per Woman’s Own.

Denise Welch has previously denied feud claims, explaining: “I have never once had an argument with any single girl off stage in that show in 20 years.” While Coleen Nolan has previously hinted at tension between the original cast and the new panel members.

“I find it hard sometimes because there are a lot more Loose Women [presenters] now,” she said. “There used to be a core 10 of us. Sometimes you go on and it’s a show with a new panellist or two new panellists. It takes a long time to build up a rapport with someone, where they get your humour or sarcasm without being offended.”

‘She never left’

Stacey always insisted she never left the Loose Women line-up ( 
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ITV)

Stacey’s absence was mentioned after she made a surprise appearance on the panel in the last episode of 2022. At the time, Stacey insisted she was still very much part of the line-up despite long periods of no-shows.

ITV Loose Women panelist Katie Piper was attacked with acid in March 2008, causing major damage to her face and blindness in one eye sparking the need for a string of surgeries

Loose Women star Katie Piper has revealed she can’t drive at night due to the impact of her acid attack.

The panellist, who recently turned 40, was attacked with acid in 2008, causing major damage to her face and blindness in one eye. Katie underwent pioneering surgery to restore her face and vision, but has faced many complications since.

On Friday’s installment of Loose Women, Katie revealed that because of her poor vision, she refrains from driving at night, and only drives during the day. However, if there was ever an emergency, the star has the right to get behind the wheel after dark.

“It makes things a little bit more complicated, but I actually can’t drive at night,” Katie told her fellow panellists. “Because of my vision, I can’t see depth so when it’s dark, it makes it really hard to see. So I now just don’t drive at night.”

Katie has revealed she can’t drive at night

It comes after Katie was surrounded with family, gifts, food and love last month as she celebrated her landmark year of turning 40. The Loose Women star had a lavish day filled with gifts and surprises as she waved goodbye to her 30s and embraced the next decade of her life. And she had her nearest and dearest on hand to help her celebrate from the moment she got up in the morning.

Taking to Instagram, Katie took time to acknowledge her big day and to highlight her gratitude for everyday life brings. The TV star and model shared a captivating portrait photograph of herself which she shared alongside a poignant statement.

The star wrote: “Age is a gift, not everyone is given. So with that, Happy 40th Birthday to me.” Her post attracted plenty of warm wishes, with Gaby Roslin among those responding, writing: “Happy birthday you beautiful soul.” And Stacey Dooley declared: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPERSTAR.”

Despite working in the spotlight, Katie has managed to keep her family life reasonably private, but recently explained that she considers herself to be a regular mum. She told Psychologies in July this year: “I’m not perfect, I’m just a regular mum.

“Sometimes I’m winning, and feel like I’m doing really well, like when I have time to go to sports day and remember the swimming kit. And other times, I drop the ball. My kids go in uniform and it’s non-uniform day, and I make the wrong sandwich. I don’t think anyone gets it right all of the time. You just need to find your tribe and support one another when you’re struggling.”

Coleen Nolan has revealed her children were ‘confused’ about her romance with Michael Jones after the Loose Women star struggled to commit to the relationship in the first year

Coleen Nolan has admitted that her children weren’t “sure” about her new boyfriend, admitting her own uncertainty about the relationship in its first year left the three young adults “confused”.

The Loose Women host is currently dating Michael Jones, after swiping ‘right’ on his Tinder profile during the Covid-19 lockdown. Their romance hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, however, with Coleen splitting from the supermarket logistics worker in April 2022 after one year together.

They have since reunited and even have plans to move in together when Coleen’s youngest child, Ciara, goes away travelling with her boyfriend in January. The reality TV star has now confessed that her lack of commitment in the first year of their relationship didn’t exactly help the 57-year-old integrate into her family.

Coleen and Michael have reunited after their split ( 
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Instagram/coleen_nolan)

Coleen has revealed Michael will move into her home when her daughter Ciara goes travelling in January ( 
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coleen_nolan/Instagram)
“The first year I was with Michael, they weren’t sure because, one minute I was all about him and the next I was saying I finished it, so they were confused,” the 58-year-old told OK! magazine. After they’d split, Coleen found herself desperately missing Michael and reconsidering their breakup.

The distance gave her the band singer the space to “sort my head out and accept that I deserve to be and can be loved like that,” after previously being cheated on by her first husband, Shane Richie. “But now I’m very different and Michael feels more secure, the kids get on great with him. They’re really supportive now, so it’s nice,” Coleen continued. “They were super protective of me so they didn’t want me to go back on the dating scene and jump, because they’ve seen me go through things before.”

Coleen with her three children, Shane, Jake and Ciara ( 
Image:
Coleen Nolan/Instagram)Coleen has since admitted she never expected to fall in love again after enduring infidelity and two divorces in the public eye. “If someone had told me three years ago that I’d find love again I would have laughed hysterically! But I feel so lucky now that it’s happened,” she said. “It feels wonderful to be forging ahead with someone I love by my side. And if it doesn’t work out at some point then I know I can be alone too and still survive.”

The longtime couple talk about meeting each other for the first time in 1997

David and Victoria Beckham . PHOTO: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

David Beckham and his wife Victoria instantly light up as they each recount the moment they first laid eyes on each other in the upcoming Netflix documentary on the soccer star’s life, Beckham.

In a just-released clip of the four-part documentary, the couple, who have been married for 24 years, individually describe the spark they felt when they met for the first time at a soccer match in 1997.

At the time, David played for Manchester United and Victoria was superstar singer Posh Spice with the Spice Girls.

“The fact that I went to the games really was just to kind of…some would say stalk him,” Victoria, 49, recalled in the clip. “I would say ‘see’ him,” she says, smiling and looking casual in a white blouse and jeans, sitting on a comfy-looking couch, her knee under one leg.

“When I saw him in the footballers’ lounge, all the other footballers were at the bar, but he was standing talking to his parents,” she said in the clip, as a photo of David when he had bright blond hair and his family flashes across the screen.

This appealed to Victoria, now a fashion designer, she said, because she is close to her parents, Jackie and Anthony Admas.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham’s Relationship Timeline

“And I’m very close to my family and I love that side to him,” she said.

The documentary then cuts away to David, 48, who gushes about their first magical meeting.

Victoria and David during their early days of their relationship.COURTESY OF NETFLIX

“That first time that I speak to her,” he said in a slow, measured cadence for emphasis, “I just fancied her.”

The camera then cuts back to Victoria who was on a similar wavelength: “I just, I just fancied him. It was as simple as that,” she said.

David and Victoria tied the knot in July 1999 and have four children: Brooklyn, 24, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and Harper, 12.

David told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show three years ago that their second meeting was more involved. “We talked for about an hour in the players’ lounge and then she actually got the train up that day, so she wrote her number down on her train ticket, which I still have,” he revealed.

Victoria and David Beckham in June 2023.STEPHANE CARDINALE – CORBIS/CORBIS

His devotion to his wife is also evident on his tattoo markings. He has a “Victoria” tattooed on his arm and just recently he got “Posh” tattooed next to his wedding-band ring finger.

David Beckham Sports New ‘Posh’ Tattoo in Honor of Wife Victoria

In 2018, the Bend It Like Beckham star shared the secret to his marriage with The Sunday Project‘s Lisa Wilkinson. “I think marriage is always about hard work,” he said. “To have been married for the amount of time that we have, you know it’s always hard work, everybody knows that, but you make it work, you make difficult situations, like traveling away, being away from each other, you make it work.”

The documentary was directed and produced by Academy Award winners Fisher Stevens and John Battsek, who were granted access to David, Victoria,  family, friends and his teammates. It begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 4.

People hurled insults (and TVs), tabloid headlines called him “childish,” and an effigy of the footballer hung outside a London pub — all of which caused the legendary athlete to question his “mistake”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Twenty-five years later, David Beckham is revealing the extent to which he was affected after fans blamed him for England’s early exit from the World Cup in 1998.

“I wish there was a pill that you could take that could erase certain memories,” the now-48-year- old soccer star says in the second episode of the Netflix docuseries Beckham. “I made a stupid mistake.”

He adds, “It changed my life.”

Beckham’s “mistake” was getting a red card for kicking Argentina’s captain Diego Simeone, after the player pushed him to the ground. England later went on to lose the match — and many fans began to lose their minds.

David Beckham Says He Felt Like He Was ‘Drowning’ at the Peak of His Fame in New Doc Trailer

One threw a TV through a third-floor window, and in tabloid headlines and according to pundits, Beckham was vilified, his World Cup performance described as “childish,” “petulant” and “stupid,” according to the documentary.

“Wherever I went, I got abused, every single day,” he says, swallowing hard. “To walk down the street and see people look at you in a certain way, spit at you, abuse you, come up to your face and say some of the things that they said. That’s difficult.”

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He adds, “The whole country hated me.”

And it was all overwhelming for the 23-year-old who sought refuge for a time with — the Spice Girls.

In the documentary, he is shown reuniting with his future wife, Victoria Adams — who had just told him she was pregnant with their first child before the World Cup — in New York City as they performed at Madison Square Garden in the weeks after the devastating game.

David Beckham and England captain Alan Shearer.ROSS KINNAIRD /ALLSPORT

“I remember really not understanding how serious it was, what had happened because you know, I’d never really been into football,” Victoria says in the doc. “I love watching him play football but then I love whatever he does. He could be painting a wall and I’d love watching him painting a wall. It was him that I wanted to support.”

Victoria recalls that David “felt he let himself down, he let his teammates down, he let his country down, he let the fans down.”

Despite his soon-to-be fiancé’s support, Beckham began to spiral in response to the backlash — or “carnage,” as Victoria calls it — once he returned to the U.K.

Beckham wasn’t eating or sleeping — “I was a mess.”

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

“He’d walk down the streets and people would be spitting at him,” his friend David Gardner recalls.

“But he never reacted, not once,” he adds — not even when an effigy of Beckham was hung from a noose outside of a London pub.

David and Victoria Beckham Reminisce on the Moment They Met: ‘I Just Fancied Her’

Beckham looks back on the time with a seeming awe and some stoicism. But recalling the toll that the backlash took on his parents, he begins to get emotional.

“It brought a lot of attention that I would never wish on anyone, let alone my parents,” he says. “And I can’t forgive myself for that, that’s the tough part, what happened then. I was the one that made the mistake.”

He adds, “It’s only now that I beat myself up about it.”

Beckham begins streaming on Netflix on October 4.

PEOPLE confirmed earlier this week that Prince Harry and the King would not meet this week due to the sovereign’s schedule

King Charles visits the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre as he resumes forward-facing duties on April 30, 2024 in London; David Beckham at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 at The Royal Festival Hall on Feb. 18, 2024 in London; Prince Harry leaves the Invictus Games Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024 in London. PHOTO: MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY; JOHN PHILLIPS/GETTY; SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE

King Charles reportedly had a private meeting with David Beckham after being unable to meet with his son Prince Harry during his visit to the U.K. earlier in the week.

According to The Times, the former England football captain, 49, met the King, 75, for a “private meeting” on Friday.

“Beckham is understood to have visited Charles to learn more about his charity, the King’s Foundation,” the outlet added.

PEOPLE understands that the Duke of Sussex invited his father, King Charles, his brother, Prince William and his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, to his celebratory Invictus Games event on Wednesday, May 8, which they did not attend. The Princess of Wales, 42, is outside of the public eye while receiving cancer treatment, while Prince William, 41, conducted investitures at Windsor Castle on May 8.

King Charles recently resumed forward-facing duties while receiving cancer treatment, and hosted the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace on May 8. The party coincided with the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry launched in London in 2014.

It emerged earlier this week that Prince Harry, 39, wouldn’t be able to meet with his father the King during his time in the U.K. due to the monarch’s “full” schedule.

“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon,” a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said on May 7.

David Beckham leaves Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, in London on Sept. 16, 2022 after paying his respects to the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP VIA GETTY
King Charles Jokes He’s Glad to Be ‘Out of My Cage’ on First Solo Outing amid Cancer Treatment

The timing could have aligned for Beckham and the King to meet at his Highgrove home, as the monarch was seen leaving Windsor Castle en route to Highgrove, Gloucestershire on May 10. The area is home to the King’s beloved country home Highgrove House, which has been a respite for the royal since he bought it in 1980.

Beckham received his OBE from Queen Elizabeth for services to soccer in 2003 and has socially known the royal family for years, having attended the royal weddings of both Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 with his wife, Victoria Beckham. Like many Brits, Beckham stood in line for 12 hours in London to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth when her coffin laid in state at Westminster Hall following her death in September 2022.

King Charles leaves Windsor Castle en route to Highgrove, Gloucestershire on May 10, 2024.THEIMAGEDIRECT.COM

Why the Royal Family Did Not Attend Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Service in London

On May 9, King Charles made his first solo engagement since resuming his royal duties at the Royal School of Military Engineering.

Before his Invictus-related trip, which was highlighted by a panel on May 7 and the Service of Thanksgiving on May 8, Prince Harry was most recently in the U.K. to visit his father following Buckingham Palace’s announcement of the sovereign’s cancer diagnosis in February.

The Duke of Sussex then traveled to Canada for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebration with his wife Meghan Markle, and revealed in an interview there that he hoped to see his father as much as possible.

Prince Harry arrives to attend the Invictus Games Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024.JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP VIA GETTY

When Good Morning America’s Will Reeve asked Harry about how he first learned of his father’s cancer diagnosis, he replied, “I spoke to him. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could.”

“Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that,” Prince Harry said. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to her home state of California after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, and live there with their children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

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As for whether King Charles’ diagnosis could have a “reunifying effect” on the royal family, Harry, who spent time with Invictus Games competitors and their families at the countdown kickoff, said: “Absolutely. Yeah, I’m sure. Throughout all these families, I see it on a day-to-day basis, the strength of the family unit coming together.”

Following the Duke of Sussex’s solo trip to the U.K. for the Invictus Games anniversary, he and Meghan arrived in Nigeria on May 10 for their first international tour since stepping back from their royal roles.

The couple are in the country at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, Nigeria’s highest-ranking military official, and the busy itinerary highlighting Invictus continues on May 11 and May 12.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nigeria: Unconquered in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024.KOLA SULAIMON/AFP VIA GETTY

“This is one of the greatest players in the world,” the Inter Miami CF co-owner said about his star player

Bailey Richards is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023 and interned with the brand in 2022. Her work has previously appeared in digital publications like Paper Magazine and TV Insider.

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In the latest trailer for ‘Messi Meets America,’ Inter Miami FC co-owner David Beckham (left) praises Lionel Messi (right), calling him “one of the greatest players in the world.”. PHOTO: MARC PIASECKI/WIREIMAGE; FIFA/FIFA VIA GETTY

David Beckham is acknowledging Lionel Messi’s legend status.

In the trailer for the new Apple TV+ docuseries, Messi Meets America, the Inter Miami CF co-owner, 48, raves about the star soccer player, 36.

“This is one of the greatest players in the world,” Beckhman says in the trailer, which ends with a montage of some of Messi’s biggest moments — including a celebratory hug with Beckham — since donning his pink Miami jersey.

David and Victoria Beckham Step Out for Dinner with Lionel Messi at Bad Bunny’s Restaurant

The six-part series promises an “inside look” at the latest chapter of Messi’s life and career — including his 2023 Leagues Cup title and Major League Soccer debut — told through exclusive interviews with the Argentinian soccer star and his new Inter Miami family.

“My happiness has always been playing football,” Messi says in the trailer. “And now I can continue doing it here.”

The series is executive produced by Scott Boggins, Patrick Milling Smith and Brian Carmody, as well as Tim Pastore and Matt Renner, both of whom worked on Emmy-winning documentary Free Solo. It is also produced by SMUGGLER Entertainment in association with the MLS.

Harper Beckham Steps onto Field with Lionel Messi Ahead of Inter Miami Soccer Match — See the Video!

Messi Meets America doesn’t mark the first time Beckham has openly praised his star player.

In July, when the superstar became officially joined Inter Miami team, Beckham introduced Messi to a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — and called Messi arrival a “dream come true.”

David Beckham and Lionel Messi hug in the trailer for ‘Messi Meets America.’.COURTESY OF APPLE TV+

“Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team,” Beckham said, per ESPN. “I said then, I dreamt of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and to the great city of Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country … We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment.”

He continued, “So please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional tonight. It truly is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami … Bienvenido a La Familia.”

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To Messi and Miami fans’ delight, the player then thanked the crowd, some of whom waited out a two-hour rain delay to experience the moment — and watch the star lead Inter Miami to 2-to-1 victory against Cruz Azul.

“I am very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family, to have chosen this project, and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it very much,” Messi said at the match, which marked his official entry into U.S. competition.

He continued, “We are going to have a good time, and great things are going to happen. Thank you very much, thank you all for this day.”

Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami in September 2023.KEITH BIRMINGHAM/MEDIANEWS GROUP/PASADENA STAR-NEWS VIA GETTY

“I can’t wait to start training to compete. I feel the same desire I’ve always had to compete, to really want to win and to help it [Miami] continue to grow,” he finished.

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The soccer superstar first confirmed his move to Miami — and Beckham’s team — in June in an interview with Spanish outlets, Mundo Deportivo and Sport, ESPN reported.

“I have made the decision that I am going to Miami,” Messi said. “I still don’t have it agreed upon 100% and a few things are needed, but well, we decided to continue my path there.”

“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day to day more,” he continued. “Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a calmer way.”

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The first three episodes of Messi Meets America will premiere Oct. 11 on Apple TV+. Additional episodes will premiere later in the MLS season.

The Inter Miami FC co-owner officially welcomed the Argentine legend to his team in July this year

David Beckham hugs Lionel Messi. PHOTO: TIM NWACHUKWU/GETTY IMAGES

David Beckham, 48, managed to bring one of the biggest international athletes stateside, and the magnitude of that feat is hardly lost on him.

In July, the former soccer player and co-owner of Inter Miami FC officially welcomed Lionel Messi, 36, to the South Florida-based soccer club, and he’s been on cloud nine since. Of course, getting a player of Messi’s caliber to sign didn’t come easy, as the Argentine soccer legend was in high demand.

“We always knew there would be competition,” Beckham told The Times of London. “The time I got a bit worried was when Barcelona showed interest. The club obviously pulls on his heartstrings and he never really got to say the goodbye he deserved there,” he said of Messi, who played for Barça for 17 seasons.

‘Emotional’ David Beckham Welcomes Lionel Messi to His Inter Miami FC Team: ‘Truly a Dream’

However, the stiff competition didn’t dissuade Beckham, who managed to snag the soccer superstar for just over $20.4 million, per CBS News. “It still gives me goosebumps,” he told The Times of London of the moment he found out Messi would be coming to Inter Miami.

David Beckham with Lionel Messi.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP VIA GETTY

Though soccer (known elsewhere as football) is massively popular globally, it’s only recently rose to prominence in the U.S. Beckham and Thierry Henry are some of the noted international players who have signed to Major League Soccer teams in an effort to bring more visibility to U.S.-based teams. So, onboarding a player as prolific as Messi was also a strategic move for the Inter Miami owner.

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“I said, ‘How many elite athletes have had the opportunity to change a sport in a country?’ It is transformational for the sport in the United States,” Beckham told The Times of his initial pitch. “This is just the beginning. His presence, medium to long-term, will prove that this league belongs among the world’s best leagues over time.”

This is hardly the first time Beckham has been open about his reverence for Messi.

David Beckham Praises Lionel Messi in Trailer for New Messi Meets America Docuseries — Watch!

In July, when the superstar officially joined the Inter Miami team, Beckham introduced Messi to a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — and called Messi’s arrival a “dream come true.”

Lionel Messi with Inter Miami FC owners.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP VIA GETTY

“Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team,” Beckham said, per ESPN. “I said then, I dreamt of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and to the great city of Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country … We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment.”

He continued, “So please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional tonight. It truly is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami … Bienvenido a La Familia.”

Beckham was also seen singing the soccer player’s praises in the trailer for Messi Meets America — an Apple TV+ docu-series that gives an “inside look” at the latest chapter of Messi’s life and career. “This is one of the greatest players in the world,” Beckhman states.