There’s nothing that melts our hearts into a puddle like seeing David Beckham’s adorable relationship with his daughter Harper – who turns 11 next month . And, as she prepares for her last summer holiday before she starts secondary school, she and her dad headed to Venice for some serious daddy-daughter bonding. Which is all super-lovely – but an insider tells heat it’s left Victoria feeling a bit out in the cold.
“It was such a great time for David and Harper, they had a wonderful adventure,” says an insider close to the 47-year-old former footballer, who is also dad to Brooklyn, 23, Romeo, 19, and Cruz, 17.
“He and Vic made a pact last year that they would try to ensure at least oneof them was home at all times for the kids. But Vic was in America last week for work and David had a VIP invite to an amazing yacht event in Italy.
“He was desperate to go, so Vic suggested he take Harper and make it a special trip for the two of them. David has never really done that before, but Harper is now at an age when she can do more interesting, grown-up things.
“They had a blast goofing around Venice, and David told Vic that it’s the most fun he’s had in years. It was so special to be able to share that with his little girl.”
Last week, the former England captain declared he was “creating special memories with Harper” as he shared a sweet video with his daughter.
He told his followers, “So we came to chic Venice,” before posting a picture of him and Harper (showing off her new straw hat) as they both ate ice cream. David captioned it, “Don’t tell mummy 9am Gelato sorry”.
The pair held hands as they wandered the streets and took a water taxi along the Grand Canal. They also got dressed up for a visit to the Riva boat event, where Harper wore a ballgown worth £1,600.
Victoria – who married David in 1999 – later posted a photo of him and Harper, writing, “This picture melts my heart. Special time with the best daddy in the world”. But behind the gushing praise, heat has been told that Victoria, 48, had a tough week without them.
“At first, she was thrilled with the plan – she even organised their outfits,” says our insider. “But she ended up feeling a little left out. Harper and David are so close and sometimes it feels like they’re in a secret club and Vic’s not a member. They have similar personalities, and Harper looks up to her Dad for everything.”
As heat has reported, VB is suffering from empty nest syndrome at the moment, and has told friends she wishes Harper’s childhood could go on forever, even hinting that she wishes she’d stepped back from her fashion business sooner to spend more time with the kids.
It follows her eldest sonBrooklyn marrying American actress Nicola Peltz in April and relocating to the US. Meanwhile, Romeo is busy with his football and modelling career. Victoria celebrated his new campaign for YSL last week, sharing a video in which she declared, “Proud of you.” And, with Cruz frequently flying to LA to work on his music career, and David regularly in Miami, where the football team he owns is based, it often leaves VB with just Harper for company.
We’re told both David and Victoria have been trying to get some quality time with Harper. In the last few months, we’ve seen mum and daughter enjoying outings together, with Vic sharing pictures of a day out in central London, captioning the post, “Weekend shopping with Mummy.” The pair managed to watch Frozen the Musical, too.
But, we’re told, former Spice Girl Victoria has also been desperate to get some quality time with David. “As the kids have started leaving home, Vic has been keen to spend more time with David,” says our source.
“But he’s been so busy, it hasn’t happened. Then, he and Harper had such a lovely weekend in Venice together – the kind of break Vic would love to have with him – and it’s left her feeling a little put out, knowing they were having so much fun without her. It’s a transitional time for the whole family, and she gets teary just thinking about Harper growing up and leaving home like the boys – so, of course, she’s feeling a bit vulnerable right now.”
Let’s hope David gets the hint and his next mini-break will include his wife.