The long-simmering tensions within the Beckham family have erupted into a full-blown feud, according to excerpts from Alison Boshoff's new book, "Brand Beckham." The conflict primarily centers on the relationship between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest son, Brooklyn, and his wife, American actress Nicola Peltz.
According to the book, the rift deepened significantly in the lead-up to Brooklyn and Nicola's wedding in April 2022. A major point of contention was a proposed business deal involving DB Ventures, David Beckham's company, which had trademarked the names of his children. Brooklyn was asked to sign a trademark co-existence agreement, a move he perceived as an attempt by his parents to sign away his rights to his own name for financial gain. He ultimately refused to sign, a decision that sources close to him believe fundamentally altered his relationship with his parents.
Brooklyn publicly addressed this issue in an Instagram post, stating that his parents had "repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name." He claimed this refusal impacted his parents' treatment of him, asserting, "They have never treated me the same since." A source familiar with the situation, however, insists the agreement was intended to protect the children's names and would not have disadvantaged Brooklyn.
The feud also appears to be fueled by differing approaches to media and public perception. Unlike David Beckham's own father, Ted, who reportedly harbored reservations about Victoria's influence but largely remained silent, David and Victoria have allegedly not concealed their negative feelings about Nicola Peltz. This public display of disapproval has reportedly led Brooklyn and Nicola to believe that elements of the Beckham camp have been briefing the media against them, with stories labeling Nicola as a "spoiled brat" and a "viper."
Further strains emerged around social media interactions. A perceived slight occurred when Victoria and David allegedly failed to 'like' social media posts featuring Nicola, particularly after she wore a Valentino gown to the 2021 Met Gala instead of a creation by Victoria Beckham. Their failure to acknowledge Brooklyn and Nicola on the cover of a Hong Kong Vogue edition, while liking a solo image of Brooklyn, also reportedly caused friction.
David Beckham's own past struggles with his father, Ted, over relationship choices and perceived class differences, are noted as a parallel to the current family conflict. Ted Beckham, a gas fitter, had little in common with his upwardly-mobile daughter-in-law, mirroring the social bracket difference between Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz, daughter of billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz.
In an attempt to create new, positive memories of their wedding day, Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly planned a secret second wedding ceremony for August 2, 2025, at the Peltz family estate in New York. Notably, none of the Beckham family members were invited, a decision acknowledged by a friend as a "twist of the knife."
Despite the deep rift, sources suggest that David and Victoria Beckham remain hopeful for a reconciliation. While Nicola has stated she would not prevent Brooklyn from seeing his parents, she reportedly feels the conflict is largely behind her. The book suggests that the family's public image, or "Brand Beckham," has been impacted but that David and Victoria are adept at navigating such challenges, potentially incorporating the current "feud" into their narrative.