KEY POINTS:
They got married on thrones, live in a so-called palace and have an annual income of more than £10 million ($28 million). What else might the world's most famous couple need? An aristocratic title, perhaps - a knighthood.
The gossip mill has reached fever pitch that David Beckham - waning brand ambassador, former England captain and now Real Madrid substitute - may hear the words "Arise, Sir David" in the new year.
Victoria Beckham has had showbiz journalists scurrying all week, after raising the prospect in an interview that she might soon be called "Lady Victoria". Mrs Beckham told a radio DJ: "Can you imagine? Oh, I'd love that, that would be quite fabulous. It's just so camp, it's wonderful, isn't it?
"Lady Victoria. Something like that goes in the paper and you think: that would be quite amazing." (In fact, were her husband to be knighted, the former singer would be Lady Beckham. In Britain, etiquette allows only the daughters of dukes, earls and marquesses to be addressed by their first names.)
She added that her husband deserved such an honour: "I think David's done a lot for charity. He was heavily involved with the Olympic bid and has given a lot to his country with the football, too. And I think he deserves it, but we'll see."
According to an A-list celebrity friend of the couple, the for-now-Mrs Beckham was being coy. The friend said: "It is true. David is going to get a knighthood. He has got the letter."
The rumour spread around showbiz agents and the couple's friends yesterday, although Beckham's agent denied it was true.
If the story proves correct, it is as yet unclear what the honour would be for. Cruel gags about "services to the male grooming industry" aside, the England team rarely excelled under his captaincy, and the 31-year-old Beckham considers himself many years from retirement. He is the fifth most capped England player of all time, and the only one to score in three World Cups.
He was made an OBE in 2003 for services to football. But knighting a playing footballer would be an unprecedented move.
Beckham's star has lost some of its twinkle. After he resigned the national captaincy in July, the new England coach Steve McLaren dropped the midfielder altogether from his squad.
He has even found himself out of favour in Madrid, where he has warmed the substitutes' bench.
Beckham's publicist said yesterday: "I was with him yesterday and he has not received any letter at all. Perhaps David's friends are picking up the speculation last week that Whitehall are considering him."
If Beckham has received a letter, he would be sworn to secrecy - although the story may yet prove to be a wind-up by his celebrity chums.
Buckingham Palace referred queries to Downing St, which said only: "I'm afraid we don't comment on New Year's Honours. We just publish the list."
- INDEPENDENT
