David and Victoria Beckham: Their relationship over the years

David and Victoria Beckham are one the nation's favourite celebrity power couples and despite allegations of infidelity, trials and tribulations, they remain as strong as ever, 26 years later.

Known as ‘Posh’ and ‘Becks’, the footballer and iconic worldwide superstar, officially met in 1997 and went on to have four children. Brooklyn, 24, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and 12-year-old Harper.

Read more: David Beckham was ‘like an addict’ during early romance with wife Victoria, Netflix documentary reveals

And now, a Netflix documentary about the footballer will follows the Beckhams in a new ‘tell all’ story of David’s career, family life and his marriage.

From when they first met to their Netflix documentary series, lets take a look back on David and Victoria Beckham’s relationship over the years.

1997: The pair meet at a football match

Their love story began long before they even met. In 2008, David revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that the former Spice Girl caught his eye after seeing her perform on TV. "I was in a hotel room with my best friend, who was my best man at my wedding. I remember turning around — before I'd even met Victoria — and said, 'I want to marry that one,'" he said.

But the couple first met in 1997 during a charity match at Manchester United players’ lounge. At the time Victoria was a part of the Spice Girls band and David was in the early stage of his football career with Manchester United.

“She came to a football match—soccer match—and I said hi from across the room and that was it, I thought I’d missed my chance, and then a week later she turned up at another football match,” David said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

1998: Victoria and David are engaged

After dating for nearly a year, the pair announced their engagement with a press conference, where Victoria revealed her ring. Both dressed in black, the couple excitedly unveiled plans to get married the following year. Later that year, they announced that they were expecting their first child together.

1999: The couple become parents and get married

David and Victoria welcomed son Brooklyn Joseph Beckham on 4 March, 1999, at Portland Hospital, London, exactly four months before their wedding. In her 2001 autobiography Learning to Fly, Victoria clarified reasons behind the name of her first born.

She wrote: "I had always liked the name Brooke and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I'd always liked it as a place — it's very multicultural, very grounded. And it was only afterwards that I realised how appropriate it was because it was in New York that I found out I was pregnant.”

Just a few months later, in July the couple tied the knot in Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland, with baby Brooklyn as the ring bearer. The lavish ceremony was attended by their close family and friends where Victoria wore a strapless Vera Wang gown and a stunning 18-carat-gold tiara.

2002: The Beckhams welcome their second child

Three became four, as the family announced the arrival of their second child, Romeo James Beckham on September 1st.

David announced that Victoria had given birth via caesarean section at 9.40 am in Portland Hospital, London.

2003: The family move to Spain

After signing a four-year contract with Real Madrid, the family of four moved to Spain, where they lived for several years.

Read more: Rebecca Loos: Who is she and what happened to her after Beckham affair allegations?

It was during this period that allegations were made of the footballer having an affair, he was said to have had ot when playing with Real Madrid in 2003. The Beckhams have always denied the claims.

2005: Victoria gives birth to their third child

David and Victoria were “delighted” after welcoming their third baby boy, Cruz David, who was born on Feb. 20 in Spain.

"We've got a baby boy. His name is Cruz. He is beautiful. He is in there with his brothers now and he is very happy," he told reporters.

2007: The Beckhams move to LA

David signed a five-year contract with LA Galaxy, which meant the family were moving to California. They moved into a $22 million mansion in Beverly Hills where it was reported that Tom Cruise hosted a housewarming party to welcome the family.

That same year Victoria addressed infidelity rumours in an interview with W magazine. “I’m not going to lie. It was a really tough time,” she says.

“It was hard for our entire families. David and I got through it together, no one said marriage was going to be easy. Yes, there have been bumps along the road.

"But the fact is we’ve come out of everything we’ve been through stronger and happier. It’s even better now than when we were first married. After all these years, we can just come home and have a laugh together.”

2011: The family welcome a baby girl

The singer and football star announced the arrival of their daughter Harper Seven Beckham, at 7:55 a.m on July 10, Los Angeles.

The couple told People magazine “Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family.”

2013: David Beckham announces his retirement

In May 2013, David revealed that he would be taking a step back from his football career after 21 years on the field. He told the Daily Mail that the time was right to hang up his playing boots, after reaching the highest level in his career.

In a statement he said: “Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back.”

2017: The couple revealed they renewed their vows

During an interview with BBC's Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, David revealed that he and Victoria had renewed their vows, in their home, surrounded by six people. He said: "We have renewed our vows since our first wedding, it was a lot more private with only six people there in our house."

2019: The pair celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary

To commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary, the British power couple took to social media to express loving tributes to each other in a heartfelt Instagram post of pictures and videos over the years.

In the caption Victoria wrote “20 years today. I love you so much xxxxx Kisses x @davidbeckham.”

Meanwhile David wrote "WOW 20 years , look what we created ♥️ Love you so much ♥️ @victoriabeckham @brooklynbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven ♥️."

2022: Brooklyn gets married

The proud parents attended the wedding of their eldest son, Brooklyn. He married his girlfriend of two years, and billionaire, Nicola Peltz.

David and Victoria looked emotional as they walked hand in hand down the aisle.

2023: David gets another tattoo in honour of Victoria

In honour of his wife, David shared photos on Instagram of his new tattoo, inked with her Spice Girls nickname ‘Posh’ on his left middle finger.

October 2023: Netflix documentary released

Netflix streams a four-part documentary series that tells the inside story of the global football star, his life, as well as his marriage highs and lows.

Beckham is out on Netflix now.

Watch the trailer for Beckham: