Sir David Beckham, the former Manchester United and England footballer, became guest editor of Country Life – a role previously performed by King Charles and Anne, Princess Royal
He is often sharing photographs of his tranquil life in the beautiful Cotswolds.
But now England legend Sir David Beckham has illustrated just how much he values the countryside – with this neat photoshoot in rural Oxfordshire. The 50-year-old star also spoke about his favourite view, best-loved recipe and his relationship with the glorious countryside in a moving interview this week.
It features in today’s Country Life magazine, which Sir David has guest edited. The dad of four celebrated how he “fell far deeper in love” with the countryside through his friendship with director Guy Ritchie, who is from rural Hertfordshire.
Speaking about Guy, Sir David said: “He’s a modern-day caveman, who has made me fall far deeper in love with the countryside and helped me to understand it even more than I did before. Sometimes, we sit for hours around a fire, just the two of us, and talk late into the night.”
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The former Manchester United midfielder donned a tweed blazer, and had dark green corduroy trousers tucked into a pair of wellies for the shoot. The star also wore a blue gingham shirt along with a dark tie as he carried a cane through a field near his Cotswolds home.
But he grew up in a vastly different environment in east London, often visiting Epping Forest to escape the hustle and bustle as a child. Sir David told Country Life: “(My) earliest memories of doing anything in the countryside are when I was a cub, then a scout and we used to go camping in Epping Forest.”
King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and Anne, Princess Royal have been guest editors of the publication over the years. The editor-in-chief described Sir David’s edition, available in shops until Tuesday, as “an outstanding issue”.
In it, he talks to food writer and the Queen’s son, Tom Parker Bowles about his favourite quintessential British dish. Sir David, also a businessman, said: “There’s something so nostalgic about mashed potato, liver, bacon and lots of gravy. It’s one of those British comfort classics that my mum used to make for me and was also my grandad’s favourite dish.
“My gran was also a great cook, and it was always a treat going down to the pie and mash shop in Chapel Market. If I had to choose my last meal, it would be pie, mash, liquor and jellied eels.”
Sir David lives with Victoria, also known as Posh Spice, in the Cotswolds. Since buying the property nine years ago, Sir David has spared no expense turning the grounds into a lush haven – complete with vegetable patches, chickens, bees, and a selection of roses planted especially for Victoria and their youngest daughter, Harper, 14.
The former England star said his love for gardening, which has led to carrots, radishes, kale and onions growing, came from his maternal grandfather Joe.