Keeping up with the Beckhams: how a private rift turned into a public fallout

WEB DESK: Tensions between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, appear to have intensified in the months leading up to his April 2022 wedding to actress Nicola Peltz. According to Brooklyn’s later account, disagreements during wedding planning revealed deeper strains that had been simmering beneath the surface.

Brooklyn alleged that his parents repeatedly pressured him to sign over rights linked to his name shortly before the ceremony, a move he said could have affected his future family and finances. He claimed his refusal altered how he was treated thereafter. He also said certain family members questioned Nicola’s place in the family, allegedly referring to her as “not blood” ahead of the wedding.

Discomfort reportedly grew around seating arrangements and traditions, with Brooklyn later stating that routine decisions were interpreted as personal slights.

April 2022: Wedding day controversy

Brooklyn and Nicola married in a lavish ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, hosted at the Peltz family estate. While the event appeared celebratory from the outside, Brooklyn later described it as deeply distressing.

He accused his mother of disrupting a planned first dance with his wife, claiming that the moment, intended as a private, romantic highlight, was overtaken in front of hundreds of guests. Reports at the time suggested Nicola left the room in tears, fuelling early speculation of a rift that both families publicly downplayed.

Brooklyn would later describe the incident as humiliating and emotionally damaging, marking a turning point in how he viewed family dynamics.

2023–2024: Public unity, private distance

Despite underlying tensions, Brooklyn and Nicola appeared publicly alongside the Beckham family at select events, including the premiere of David Beckham’s Netflix documentary in late 2023. However, sources later suggested interactions were increasingly strained behind the scenes, with communication becoming more formal and sporadic.

Brooklyn has since claimed that public displays of family unity masked unresolved conflicts and that efforts to privately resolve differences repeatedly failed.

May 2025: The birthday that reignited speculation

Rumours of a serious rift resurfaced when Brooklyn and Nicola did not attend David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations in London. At the time, family photos shared online included all of the Beckhams’ children except Brooklyn.

Brooklyn later said he and Nicola had travelled to London hoping to spend time with his father but were repeatedly turned away unless they attended the high-profile party itself. He alleged that a proposed private meeting was conditional on Nicola’s absence, something he described as unacceptable.

Mid-2025: Control narratives and public speculation

Around the same period, tabloid reports claimed Nicola was controlling Brooklyn and isolating him from his family. Brooklyn strongly rejected this, later stating that the control he experienced stemmed from his upbringing rather than his marriage.

He said the narrative took a toll on his mental health and deepened feelings of mistrust, particularly as he believed false stories were being allowed to circulate unchecked.

August 2025: A vow renewal without the Beckhams

Brooklyn and Nicola quietly renewed their wedding vows in Florida in August 2025, surrounded by members of the Peltz family. None of the Beckhams attended.

Brooklyn later explained that the renewal was an attempt to reclaim positive memories of their marriage, free from anxiety and tension. He also alleged continued efforts by his family to undermine their relationship, including inviting people from his past into shared spaces in ways he felt were deliberate.

December 2025: Social media cut-off

In December, Brooklyn blocked his parents and siblings on Instagram. His brother Cruz publicly clarified that the move came from Brooklyn, not the other way around, confirming a complete breakdown in communication.

Brooklyn would later claim he had been cut off by his siblings months earlier, further entrenching the divide.

January 2026: Brooklyn breaks his silence

Brooklyn publicly addressed the feud in January 2026, stating unequivocally that he did not wish to reconcile. He accused his parents of feeding false narratives to the press and prioritising image over family.

Saying he felt peace for the first time after stepping away, Brooklyn described the situation as a “massive breakdown in trust” the culmination of years of unresolved conflict, failed private attempts at reconciliation, and emotional strain.

David and Victoria Beckham have not publicly responded to the allegations.