The Beckhams have never been a family to do Christmas by halves. Whether it’s flocking to the countryside for festivities in their Cotswolds home or soaking up the sunshine overseas in Miami, togetherness has always been at the core of their celebrations.
But according to heat’s insider, the lead-up to the holidays this year has been tinged with worry for former Spice Girl Victoria, as the reality of empty-nest syndrome – and fewer spots at the dinner table – has been hitting home.
Our source reveals, ‘Vic really wanted a big family Christmas at their Cotswolds mansion, but Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz all seem to be flaking. It’s left her feeling really upset about the prospect of being split up over the holidays - not to mention setting a precedent for how things will look in the future. She’s starting to face up to the reality of their family unit disbanding, and that she and David will have to start choosing who to spend the holidays with, rather than them all being together.’
Fashion entrepreneur Vic, 50, and ex-England football captain David, 49, only have 13-year-old daughter Harper under their roof now that her older brothers have all moved out.
Brooklyn, 25, was the first to leave the family’s west London property in 2020, setting up home in the States with his now-wife Nicola Peltz, 29, who he married in 2022. Then last November, Cruz, 19, followed in his brother’s footsteps by relocating to Los Angeles in a bid to pursue a music career, a decision which also benefited his love life as he’s now in what appears to be a serious relationship with Brazilian model Jackie Apostel, 29.
Just months after Cruz packed up for the States, Romeo, 22, moved into his own apartment – and after a period of playing the field, he’s now loved-up with his new girlfriend, DJ Kim Turnbull.
With the Beckham boys very much carving out lives of their own and preoccupied with their other halves, our source reveals that their festive plans have left their mum gearing up for her loneliest Christmas yet.
We’re told, ‘Nicola wants to be with her family in Miami this year after losing her beloved grandma a few months ago, so Brooklyn understandably wants to stay with her. While Vic knows Nicola’s been through a tough time, she’d hoped Brooklyn would try and make it back, even just for a few days, which he’s told her is unlikely. Meanwhile, Romeo has hinted that he may also skip their Cotswolds Christmas after being invited to spend it with his girlfriend, and Cruz followed suit - insisting he wants to spend his first Christmas with Jackie and her family in Brazil this year.’
The source adds, ‘Vic’s really hoping that the boys can at least spend some of the festive period with them - even if it means doing a delayed Christmas celebration so they can all be together.’
Year on year, the Beckhams have littered Instagram with highlights from the festive period. Last year, these included getting decked out in matching pyjamas and catching the rays in Miami, where David and Vic recently snapped up a multi-million-dollar home to add to their property portfolio. But most Decembers, the family have upheld tradition by spending it in the Cotswolds, where David in particular has enjoyed Christmas pastimes such as roasting chestnuts on an open fire or making cookies with Harper.
With things looking a little different this year, our source says that David has been been striving to keep the Christmas spirit alive, especially for his wife.
‘He’s continuing to hold on to all their family traditions from when the kids were younger, like Elf on the Shelf and buying gingerbread houses to decorate,’ we’re told. ‘It’s upsetting Posh even more because it’s as if he’s clinging onto a past that no longer exists as they’re almost empty nesters. But David has urged her to focus on the positives of their sons being happy, and at least having Harper and their own parents with them to celebrate.’
