Victoria Beckham: ‘It’s not the same anymore’

Christmas is going to look different for families up and down the country this year, and that’s no different for celebrities like the Beckhams. While they may be lucky enough to be spending it at their sprawling country estate in the Cotswolds, with all of the restrictions and tough choices they’ve had to make this year, we’re told Victoria is feeling really anxious about it and the future of her increasingly fragmented family. And being separated from her eldest son Brooklyn, as well as tensions between her and husband David, have left her feeling really down.

While the Beckhams are used to hosting big lavish affairs, David and Victoria are currently at loggerheads over who from their extended family to invite in order to stick to the three households rule. “Like everybody, they’ve seen their families a lot less this year – it’s been really tough,” our insider says. “Both have older parents who they worry about, so for Christmas this year, it’s been really difficult to agree who to see.”

To add to Posh’s stress, there’s the fact that 21-year-old Brooklyn will most likely be staying in the US with his fiancée Nicola Peltz, which we’re told Posh is devastated about. And to make matters worse, David is siding with their son, while Vic is left feeling bereft.

“Brooklyn probably won’t be coming back, as he’d have to quarantine for two weeks when he arrives in the UK and again when they get back to the States, which is a huge hassle,” our source says.

“Vic understands, but she’s devastated – her dream Christmas has been ruined, and David has had to calm her down. She also suspects Brooklyn is under pressure from Nicola to spend Christmas with the whole family together. There’s been a bit of a stand-off, as Brooklyn hadn’t really spent that much time with the Peltzes and he feels he has to step up – they’ve invited him for Christmas, so it’s a bit of a dilemma. He knows how gutted his mum is, but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his future wife. He knows that she’s made a real effort to bond with his family, so now he feels he needs to do the same for her.”

But what is really getting the 46-year-old fashion designer down is that she feels this is just the beginning of her family drifting apart permanently. She accepts her sons have found people they want to settle down with early in life, but it does mean she “loses” them quicker. The source continues, “Vic will miss Brooklyn desperately and, for her, this is a taste of what awaits. She knows she might not have all of her children at home together again for Christmas, and that there will always be someone missing as they grow up and have other commitments and people to consider.”

And while the couple – who have been married for 21 years, and also have three other children, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 15, and nine-year-old Harper together – know they’re way more fortunate than most people, it doesn’t stop them getting upset and feeling guilty about their families. We’re told they are trying to compromise, but it’s proving hard as they can both can be quite stubborn. “It’s not that Vic doesn’t want David’s family there, of course she does, but if they have to stick to the rules, then they have to choose,” says the source.

“They’ve thought about doing one side of the family for Christmas Eve, and one side for Christmas Day, but that’s not really allowed, and Vic doesn’t want her parents travelling home from their place on Christmas Day. She and David always host at Christmas and love having big gatherings – their Cotswolds house is perfect for that. They are just hoping they can sort something that pleases everyone.”

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Our source says the family have already started prepping their London and Cotswolds homes for the big day, and have been trying to make things feel as festive as possible. They are also thinking about what to do for New Year, and are currently torn between staying in the UK or going away somewhere exotic. Last year, they stayed in the Cotswolds, but previous years have seen them take trips to places luxury destinations such as the Maldives, which the whole family is keen on doing. But our source says even that might not be the escape Victoria is hoping for.

“She thinks that if she can’t be with Brooklyn for Christmas, then they can go away for New Year somewhere nice and hot,” we’re told. “Originally, the plan was for Brooklyn and Nicola to do Christmas in America with the Peltz family, and then fly out to do the Beckham tropical family holiday. But with so many routes uncertain, it’s going to be a last-minute decision, so it’s up in the air. Brooklyn is genuinely upset, as he really misses his mum and loves Christmas so much. He wants to make New Year happen, but no one knows what will be possible.”

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But whatever happens this Christmas, the insider insists that both David, 45, and Victoria are determined to have a great time and pull out all the stops for whoever is there, especially after the year everyone has had. “They know 2020 has been tough on everyone – not just them. And they want to celebrate Christmas in style,” says the source. “David especially wants them to go all-out with the food, drink and decorations, and really turn their home into a Winter Wonderland. Whatever they decide to do, they know that the kids will have an amazing time, and that is the main thing. They’ve spent a lot of time together this year and want to finish it on a high.”

The source adds, “Whoever gets an invite will have a great time and any issues between David and Victoria will be put behind them. Having fun and a special family day is what’s most important to them.”

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