Victoria Beckham honoured in Paris amid family rift / Photo: © AFP
-
Boeing unveils new 737 MAX production line as aviation giant charts comeback
-
'Beast' Haaland a different player to me, says Kane
-
Wemby inks Spurs extension, tells fans 'I'm here to stay'
-
My goals don't matter if we win World Cup, says Yamal
-
Courtois backs Lammens to bounce back after World Cup blunder
-
Spain's Merino living 'wildest dreams' with late World Cup winners
-
NBA T-Wolves add Ball and Green as James eyes options
-
Apple sues OpenAI for stealing trade secrets
-
England's Rice, Guehi and James train ahead of Norway World Cup clash
-
Spain set up World Cup semi-final with France after late win against Belgium
-
Merino strikes late as Spain beat Belgium to set up France World Cup semi
-
Alfred trumps Thomas in battle of Olympic sprint champions
-
Ohtani to miss All-Star Game for treatment on knee
-
Brutal heat wave forecast for western US this weekend
-
Hundreds of Peruvian newborns named after Norway striker Haaland
-
Music industry launches AI-generated content labels
-
Wall Street gets small boost from SK hynix debut
-
SK hynix surges on first day of trading on Wall Street
-
Deschamps leads France to familiar territory in final World Cup
-
Edwards leaves role with Liverpool owners FSG
-
Alfred goes third in 200m all-time list, Wanyonyi smashes 1km mark
-
Wemby to Spurs fans: 'I'm here to stay, whatever it takes'
-
Trump agrees to more Iran talks but insists truce is over
-
Trump administration weakens habitat protections for endangered species
-
'No secret' that Kane v Haaland the key to England clash, says Norway coach Solbakken
-
Scheffler misses first cut in four years as McIlroy leads at Scottish Open
-
Prince Harry and family meet King Charles: UK media
-
Nearly 50 abducted pupils, teachers rescued in Nigeria
-
Sinner salutes 'true inspiration' Djokovic after ending rival's Wimbledon bid
-
Wanyonyi sets new world best in men's 1,000m
-
US senators announce Trump deal on Russia sanctions bill
-
Djokovic expects to be back at Wimbledon next year
-
Foreigners among 12 killed in ferocious Spain wildfire
-
Sinner, Zverev power into Wimbledon final
-
Vinicius apologizes to Brazilians for World Cup 'frustration'
-
Trump says agreed to more Iran talks but insists truce over
-
Slick Sinner scuppers Djokovic record bid to make Wimbledon final
-
Zverev hungry for Wimbledon glory after Paris breakthrough
-
India's Mandhana stars in inaugural women's Test at Lord's
-
England risk losing Guehi for Norway World Cup quarter-final
-
Xhaka tells Swiss fans to 'keep dreaming' ahead of Argentina World Cup clash
-
UK police launch murder probe into ex-MP's death
-
Drought threatens irrigation in northern Italy
-
Woad is unruffled by the lake as she sails into Evian lead
-
Fery expects to thrive in spotlight after Wimbledon fairytale
-
Brook hoping for double England cricket and football triumph
-
Pressure off for 'scared' Merlier after Tour de France stage win
-
Brazil deforestation hits new low in Amazon
-
Indian cricket board to review T20 team's 'bad phase'
-
England captain George 'buzzing for special talent' Caluori
Victoria Beckham honoured in Paris amid family rift
Victoria Beckham escaped the bitterness of a family feud with a trip to Paris on Monday to receive an award from the culture ministry for her contribution to the fashion and entertainment industries.
The former Spice Girl, after a weekend celebrating "Baby Spice" Emma Buntun's 50th birthday, headed to the French capital with husband David and her children -- except Brooklyn -- to be named a "Officer of the Order of the Arts and Letters."
The ceremony at the culture ministry was kept under wraps to avoid a scrum of journalists or onlookers after explosive claims about the Beckhams by eldest son Brooklyn last week.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati praised Beckham as "a global icon that holds a very special place in the hearts of French people". Dati paid tribute to Beckham's "meticulous, almost architectural" approach to clothing, according to a copy of the speech sent to AFP.
After starting with shows in London and New York, Beckham has been unveiling the new collections for her label in Paris since 2022.
"Through your journey, your work, and your commitment, you have woven a deep, sincere, and lasting bond with France," Dati told the 51-year-old singer-turned-designer.
Brooklyn Beckham deepened a rift with his parents after writing on social media last week that they had tried to "ruin" his relationship with his wife.
In a highly personal post that confirmed a long-rumoured falling out, Brooklyn claimed Victoria Beckham "hijacked" his first dance on his wedding day and danced "inappropriately on me".
Video of Monday's ceremony by Paris Match magazine showed David Beckham and the rest of the his clan looking on and applauding, along with French fashion bosses Antoine Arnault and Francois-Henri Pinault.
The Order of the Arts and Letters is reserved for figures judged to have contributed to France's cultural life and is separate to the more prestigious Legion of Honour ("Legion d'honneur"), the state's top award.
President Emmanuel Macron decorated Louis Vuitton designer and rapper Pharrell Williams with a Legion of Honour last Friday at a private ceremony attended by US rappers Pusha T and Future.
Former England captain David Beckham received a knighthood from King Charles III in November in what he called his "proudest moment".
M.Betschart--VB
