David Beckham has once again shared a tender moment with his daughter Harper, 14, as she planted a kiss on his cheek in a new photo — days after he reflected on years of criticism surrounding his public affection.
The football legend, 50, reposted the sweet snap originally shared by wife Victoria after a family dinner with her parents Jackie and Tony. The image shows a smiling David leaning in as Harper kisses him, a familiar sight that has previously sparked heated online debates.
For years, the Beckhams have divided public opinion over their displays of affection, with some branding their family photos “beautiful” and others calling them “inappropriate.” But David has always stood firm. Speaking during a Facebook Live session in Bangkok, he once explained: “I kiss all my kids on the lips — except Brooklyn, of course, he’s older. That’s just how we were brought up. We want to show our kids love and support them every way we can.”
The former England captain added that being a dad is “the most special thing in the world,” insisting that affection is part of his family’s values, both from him and Victoria. The designer has also shared affectionate pictures with Harper over the years, including a 2017 poolside photo that went viral.
While David’s new post has reignited the long-running debate, fans have mostly flooded his comments with love. One wrote: “Beautiful — people should stop sexualising parental affection.” Another added: “My daughter’s 16 and I still kiss her on the lips. It’s love, not weirdness.”
The heartfelt image comes as the Beckhams face another controversy — this time over their £12 million Cotswolds estate. The couple recently applied to build a new access road to their home, sparking backlash from neighbours who fear “giant SUVs” will disrupt local walking paths. Despite objections, David and Victoria insist the design is “modest” and “sensitive to the landscape,” with a decision from West Oxfordshire District Council expected soon.