For years, David Beckham and his eldest son Brooklyn Beckham appeared to have a strong father-son bond. From football matches to red-carpet events and family holidays, the Beckhams once presented a united front. But in 2025, that public image has fractured into one of the most talked-about celebrity family rifts of the year - played out not in private correspondence, but on Instagram timelines, holiday posts and social media blocks. Most recently,Brooklyn blocked his entire family on Instagram - a move that has been dubbed "personal" by experts.

Relations among the Beckham household appeared to become strained when Brooklyn began his relationship with Nicola Peltz, with a series of alleged feuds leading up to their extravagant wedding in 2022.

• David Beckham deals son Brooklyn brutal blow in NYE post after series of snubs

• Adam Peaty's sister receives lavish bridesmaid gifts from Holly Ramsay

Missed family events

The first public signs of strain emerged earlier this year when Brooklyn - now 26 - missed several major Beckham family events, including his father David’s 50th birthday celebrations in May.

Reports at the time suggested he chose not to attend after disagreements over party arrangements involving his brother Romeo’s girlfriend who happened to be his ex-girlfriend. But his absence was not an isolated incident. Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, were also not present for David’s knighthood ceremony at Windsor Castle in November 2025 - another milestone that only deepened speculation of a widening family rift. Despite the distance in person, attempts were made on social media to bridge the gap. In December, David shared throwback photos with his children - including a young Brooklyn - celebrating an MLS title win, captioned "Licence to cry” in what some insiders interpreted as an olive branch to his estranged son.

Social media block

But in mid-December 2025, the situation escalated dramatically when Brooklyn reportedly blocked his parents - David and Victoria Beckham - and his brother Cruz on Instagram. Without using social media to communicate, all involved found the rift playing out publicly.

Cruz Beckham, 20, clarified the situation on his own Instagram story, denying earlier reports that their parents had unfollowed Brooklyn. His statement read: "My mum and dad would never unfollow their son… Let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked… as did I.” As a result, none of the immediate Beckham family members were following each other on the platform, and Brooklyn’s social media became largely devoted to posts about his wife, their life together, and personal interests.

This Christmas marked a big difference for the Brooklyn family. Rather than spending the festive season with his parents and siblings in the UK, Brooklyn and Nicola spent Christmas with Nicola’s parents in the United States. On social feeds, while the Beckhams shared festive family images in the Cotswolds, Brooklyn posted affectionate pictures with Nicola, including a Christmas Eve shot captioned “My everything x” alongside a tattoo tribute to his wife.

First signs of rift

Although the feud’s latest and most dramatic chapter has unfolded this year, tensions within the Beckham family trace back further. Rumours first surfaced around Brooklyn and Nicola’s 2022 wedding, where reports suggested disagreements between Victoria Beckham and Nicola over the proceedings - stories that both families have largely declined to comment on directly at the time. Over the following years, Brooklyn’s social media marked the tension with gaps in holiday appearances, missed family events, and the absence of birthday tributes. According to public timelines of social interactions, he noticeably did not post for certain Beckham milestones - such as his father’s birthday, Mother’s Day and other celebrations - even as he acknowledged relatives outside the immediate family.

David Beckham's latest post

In David's latest post on Instagram, he shared a 2025 round up of some of his favourite moments. This featured images of his daughter Harper, as well as his other two sons Romeo and Cruz. Sadly, Brooklyn was nowhere to be seen in the carousel of images. He wrote underneath the images: "I feel very lucky to have has the year I've had in 2025 full of moments that I will never forget from my 50th to my knighthood and then finishing with winning the MLS as an owner. I'm so grateful to my incredible wife, my amazing children, my friends and team I work with every single day nothing would have been possible without you all."

Reconcilation

Despite the escalating estrangement, there have been sporadic signs of goodwill. David and Victoria’s social media circles included subtle indications of hope for reconciliation - sharing family stockings with Brooklyn’s name or liking a cooking video he posted.

Yet it appears his block remains in place as none of the family follow him on Instagram.

• Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay jet off on honeymoon as they escape family feud