Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham are reportedly making efforts to reconnect with their eldest son Brooklyn as Christmas approaches, with insiders revealing his continued absence from family gatherings has become increasingly painful.
Sources close to the couple have disclosed that the 26-year-old's estrangement is weighing heavily on them, particularly following several significant milestones he failed to attend.
According to an insider speaking to The Sun: "His absence has really taken a toll on the special days the knighthood and now Christmas. It's like the ghost of Brooklyn is hanging over their Christmas and New Year's. Last year they were all together."
The former footballer, 50, and fashion designer, 51, have been separated from their firstborn for some time, with Brooklyn remaining in the United States alongside his wife Nicola Peltz's family.
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Brooklyn Beckham did not congratulate his father after the Knighting ceremony | PABrooklyn was notably absent when his father received his knighthood last month, a ceremony attended by the rest of the immediate family including siblings Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14.
He also missed Inter Miami's triumphant MLS Cup Final victory earlier this month, where Sir David's co-owned team defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Victoria celebrated the win on Instagram, posting photographs with Romeo, Cruz, Harper and Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel, writing: "I couldn't be prouder of you, David."
The couple were also without Brooklyn at the London premiere of Victoria's Netflix docuseries in October, when the fashion designer was surrounded by family whilst her eldest son and his wife remained thousands of miles away in Beverly Hills.
Brooklyn and David Beckham are believed to be engaged in a rift | PAIn a poignant gesture last week, Victoria shared footage on Instagram of her mother Jackie Adams' festive fireplace display, which prominently featured personalised red stockings for all four Beckham children, including one embroidered with Brooklyn's name.
The video showed identical stockings for Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper arranged alongside those of their cousins on the stone chimney breast, with Victoria captioning it: "So many grandchildren!"
According to sources, the public display was deliberately intended to convey a message to their estranged son.
"Usually they wouldn't post all of the Christmas stockings laid out, but for them, it's their way of showing how missed Brooklyn is," the insider explained.
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"The message they're sending is that the door is always open and he's always welcome."
The family rift reached a critical point in May when Brooklyn and Nicola, 30, declined to attend David's 50th birthday celebrations.
Subsequently, the couple renewed their wedding vows without informing or inviting any members of the Beckham family.
The situation escalated further when Brooklyn's younger brothers Romeo and Cruz unfollowed him on Instagram, with friends of Brooklyn telling the Daily Mail in July that both siblings had actually blocked him and Nicola on the platform.
Brooklyn has remained based in the US with his wife's family, whilst his parents and siblings continue to be primarily in the UK.
Last Christmas, the couple celebrated with Nicola's relatives in Palm Beach rather than joining the Beckhams.
Friends of the Beckham family have revealed that both grandmothers, Jackie Adams and David's mother Sandra, are deeply saddened by the estrangement, particularly given how close they had always been to Brooklyn.
Despite the rift, Jackie has maintained efforts to stay connected with her grandson, recently commenting on one of his cooking videos: "That looks amazing Brooklyn. Lots of love."
Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz
| GETTY/INSTAGRAMSources indicate the Beckhams have now shifted their approach regarding Nicola.
"They've stopped trying to win her back over. It might never happen, she might never warm up to them again. So for now, they're concentrating on Brooklyn," the insider said.
The family's hope is to reconcile with their eldest son, leave the difficulties behind them, and begin 2026 with a fresh start.
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