The Beckhams face backlash over Miami move: ‘Who do they think they are?’

Fury as ‘tone deaf’ couple continue to live it up

Victoria and David Beckham

by Kate Randall |
Updated on

After nearly 25 years in the public eye, David and Victoria Beckham are used to getting criticism, but due to their actions over the past few weeks, the battering they have received from the public might be their worst yet.

The couple and their children – Brooklyn, 21, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 15, and nine-year-old Harper – are currently living it up in Miami, after flying there by private jet on Christmas Day to avoid the UK’s tough new restrictions. They were recently pictured enjoying a meal in the sun, as well as a shopping trip, while the rest of us back home had to spend yet more time inside. And, understandably, a lot of people weren’t impressed.

“How tone deaf and hypocritical can one family be? Any respect they had has gone,” one wrote, while another ranted, “How dare they tell us to stay home while they are flying halfway across the world? Who the hell do the Beckhams think they are?” While one just wrote, “They are shameless.”

It was claimed the family flew to Miami so that David, 45, could work with his football team, Inter Miami, after not being there for nine months. The former England captain put up a picture of himself at the stadium, saying, “Grateful to be back in Miami. Lots of hard work ahead… Let’s go.” He was pictured training with the team, but it was also claimed he mixed business with pleasure by bringing the family with him, after they attended a New Year’s Eve party at the £30million mansion of eldest son Brooklyn’s future in-laws.

Victoria and David Beckham
©Getty

After the UK was put into a third national lockdown, the family have decided to stay in America for now, rather than return to their home in the Cotswolds – where they quarantined last spring, telling their followers to #stayhome and #staysafe. And while Victoria, 46, has remained fairly quiet on social media since arriving in the US, our source says she won’t stand for any criticism and wants to enjoy her time there.

“David needs to be in Miami for work. Originally the plan for 2021 was that he would fly back and forth, as he still has work commitments in the UK, and Vic could join him if she needed to,” our Beckham source says. “But with the uncertainty of the current situation, everything changed. Neither David nor Vic wanted to spend an unknown amount of time apart – she was adamant that if David was going to be in Miami, and with the kids unable to be at school, then it would be a much better idea to stay there.”

The source continues, “Vic wants the family to be together. Also, the kids were devastated to be going into another lockdown, home schooling again, not seeing friends, no tennis or football or anything, and it being winter, too. As much as they love the Cotswolds house, there’s only so much you can do there. So, Miami was a no-brainer, really, especially as the kids can do remote learning and be out in the sun. And as long as her family are happy, Vic doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks.”

CHECK OUT Victoria and David Beckham's relationship from the start

Gallery

Relationship Timeline: Victoria And David Beckham

David and Victoria Beckham1 of 29

1998

The happy couple moments after their wedding announcement.

David and Victoria Beckham2 of 29

1999

David and Victoria share a moment before flying to Ireland to get married.

David and Victoria Beckham3 of 29

2000

See here, the infamous durag David chose to wear to meet Prince Charles.

David and Victoria Beckham4 of 29

2001

The Beckhams always did couple dressing well, right down to the matching chunky cross chains they wore to the NRJ music awards.

David and Victoria Beckham5 of 29

2001

Spotted at the 2001 Silver Clef Awards.

David and Victoria Beckham6 of 29

2002

Another memorable style moment when the Beckhams attended David Furnish's 40th birthday at Jewel bar in London.

David and Victoria Beckham7 of 29

2003

The MTV music awards was a bejeweled highlight for the pair.

David and Victoria Beckham8 of 29

2003

And this is why the 'black blazer and a pair of jeans' look was such a thing...

David and Victoria Beckham9 of 29

2003

Remember when the Beckhams moved to Spain? It was the early development of David's affection for beanies.

David and Victoria Beckham10 of 29

2003

Victoria and David had dinner at the Ivy in London .

David and Victoria Beckham11 of 29

2004

At the 19 Management's 19th birthday party David and Victoria shared a sweet moment on the red carpet.

David and Victoria Beckham12 of 29

2005

The beanie returned in L.A. As did Victoria's fleeting appreciation for bohemian-inspired styling.

David and Victoria Beckham13 of 29

2006

The Beckhams were pictured on a shopping trip in Paris.

David and Victoria Beckham14 of 29

2006

Another memorable style moment for the Beckhams as they arrived in Venice.

David and Victoria Beckham15 of 29

2007

If anyone were to resurrect the nickname 'Posh and Becks', this image of the pair at the Sport Industry awards is probably one of the ones that comes to mind.

David and Victoria Beckham16 of 29

2008

David and Victoria hit the red carpet at the superhero-themed Met Gala.

David and Victoria Beckham17 of 29

2008

A formal look for the New York launch of the couple's his and hers perfume, 'Signature.'

David and Victoria Beckham18 of 29

2009

The couple launched a collaboration with Adidas, one of their first fashion partnerships.

David and Victoria Beckham19 of 29

2010

David, Victoria, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz scrubbed up for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards.

David and Victoria Beckham20 of 29

2011

The couple were invited to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

David and Victoria Beckham21 of 29

2012

Victoria wore a dress from her own collection for the Vanity Fair post-Oscars bash.

David and Victoria Beckham22 of 29

2012

The whole family (minus baby Harper) supported Victoria at the West End launch of the Spice Girls musical, Viva Forever.

David and Victoria Beckham23 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

2013

The Beckhams attended the premiere of The Class of 92 en famille.

David and Victoria Beckham24 of 29

2014

David and Victoria returned to the steps of the Met in 2014, bringing back their matchy-matchy couples aesthetic with these white outfits.

David and Victoria Beckham25 of 29

2015

Attending the British Fashion Awards.

David and Victoria Beckham26 of 29

2016

On a trip to Shanghai.

David and Victoria Beckham27 of 29

2017

A night out in Mayfair.

David and Victoria Beckham28 of 29

2018

Looking chic at the Louis Vuitton show.

David and Victoria Beckham29 of 29

2018

David and Victoria were guests at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Windsor wedding.

And, we’re told, the more time they spend in Miami, the more Victoria is considering making it their permanent home, as she reassesses her future away from the headlines they make in the UK. During the first lockdown, it was revealed she had furloughed her staff – despite the Beckhams being worth a reported £338million – and although she later reversed the decision, the damage had been done.

They were also accused of breaking the rules during the second lockdown in November, as they appeared to go back and forth between their Cotswolds and London homes. Victoria’s fashion business has also taken a huge knock during the pandemic. And with her London store closed for at least another month, and nobody rushing out to buy expensive designer dresses, the source says she’s thinking that focusing on her beauty brand in Miami may be a good move.

“The family are happy to be in Florida for January – and maybe beyond,” we’re told. “Vic is even thinking this could actually be a ‘test run’ for a permanent move. The past year has been a hard one, and Vic has been so frustrated with her every move being criticised in the UK. She feels she gets such a hard time, whereas in the US life is just easier. She’s still a bit bitter about the backlash over the furlough. Same again with her being away – so many reality stars have gone to Dubai or the Maldives or wherever, but she feels she’s still the one who gets picked on.”

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Our source adds, “She’s been mulling over a move to Miami for the past year – it’s an attractive proposition. It’s lovely to be by the beach and back in sunny weather – she misses that. She is honestly feeling like she wants to take a step back from work and the hecticness of the last few years, and thinks Miami would be a good place to do that. David’s got his work there, and really she can run her business from anywhere.”

Victoria is also keen for the family to base themselves more in the US as Brooklyn is now settled there with fiancée Nicola Peltz – and Posh is loving spending time with her billionaire family and their associates.

“Because Brooklyn is now in the US with Nicola and her very influential family, a lot of doors are opening from that connection,” our insider explains. “Vic’s struck up a great relationship with the Peltzes, and they have welcomed the Beckhams into their social circle with open arms – it’s all very fabulous. She’s finding Florida life very enticing.”

Which is just as well, because as far as their critics are concerned, they might as well remain there, with one former fan saying, “We don’t want them here any more, stay in Miami.”

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