Football legend Sir David Beckham has been left heartbroken after his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, chose to cover up a tattoo dedicated to him, according to insider sources. This dramatic move comes just weeks after Brooklyn, 26, publicly denounced his parents in a social media statement, accusing them of controlling behaviour and attempting to sabotage his marriage to wife Nicola Peltz.
Family Tattoos Turned Symbolic Battleground
New photographs reveal that Brooklyn has now covered the anchor tattoo on his arm that prominently featured the word dad in the centre. A source close to the family told Metro: David is obviously heartbroken over Brooklyn's decision to cover up his tribute to him. It feels like a deep cut, even after everything that was said in his statement.
The Beckham family has long been known for their extensive tattoo collections, with multiple inkings serving as permanent dedications to one another over the years. In his memoir, Sir David described his tattoos as an expression of how he feels about Victoria and the kids, highlighting the emotional significance these markings hold within the family.
Permanent Tributes and Painful Removals
David Beckham's own body bears multiple tributes to his children, including:
- Brooklyn's name in large lettering on his lower back
- The phrase we love you daddy in his children's handwriting
- Brooklyn's childhood nickname Buster with a heart on his neck
The source confirmed that David has no plans to remove his own tribute to Brooklyn, stating: David still has his tribute to Brooklyn, his nickname Buster on his neck, and has no plans to cover it up. When originally revealing this particular tattoo, the former England captain wrote affectionately: I've always called Brooklyn (Buster) since the day he was born... Love you Bust.
Brooklyn's Tattoo Transformation
Brooklyn's tattoo removal appears to be both extensive and symbolic. According to sources speaking to The Sun, the writing within the anchor tattoo has undergone laser treatment, with the original dedication now replaced by other symbols. The insider explained: Brooklyn's had laser treatment on the writing. He wanted it gone. There is so much hurt and pain on his side, it would not be genuine to keep such a tribute on his body.
This isn't the only parental tribute Brooklyn has altered. He has also covered up the mama's boy tattoo over his heart that was dedicated to his mother, Victoria Beckham. The words have been incorporated into a sketch of Nicola's wedding bouquet, following his public vow to always choose his wife.
Widening Family Rift
The tattoo alterations come amidst an increasingly public family dispute that shows no signs of resolution. Brooklyn's statement last month accused his parents of trying to ruin his relationship with Nicola, whom he married in 2022. He has since reinforced his commitment to his wife by having their wedding vows permanently inked on his body.
Nicola Peltz, 31, has also taken symbolic action, deleting all traces of her in-laws from her social media accounts, including a post celebrating Victoria's 50th birthday in 2024. Her father, billionaire Nelson Peltz, 83, has weighed in on the situation, telling press he wants his family to stay the hell out of the press while affirming his support for the couple.
Parental Response and Hopes for Reconciliation
The Beckhams have maintained a relatively restrained public response to their son's accusations and the rumoured tell-all book reportedly in development. However, Sir David has previously spoken about parenting philosophy, suggesting that parents must allow their children to make mistakes.
Victoria Beckham is reportedly desperate to repair the family relationship. A source revealed: Victoria hates to think about her family being so divided, especially with it involving one of her children. Brooklyn's absence at David's 50th birthday party was noticeable, and she desperately wished he would have been there.
The same source added: She's hoping Brooklyn will come around and see things for what they are. They've always been a close-knit family, and seeing how things are now has been devastating for Victoria and David.
As the Beckham family drama continues to unfold, the physical removal of permanent tributes serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional distance that has developed between parents and son. What began as social media statements has now manifested in the literal erasure of family symbols, leaving David Beckham reportedly heartbroken as he maintains his own unchanged tattoos dedicated to his children.
