England soccer captain David Beckham received a royal award Thursday from Queen Elizabeth II — and said she told him the occasion was also as an "honor" for her.

England soccer captain David Beckham kisses his wife, Victoria, as he holds the OBE, Order of the British Empire, he received Thursday Nov. 27, 2003, from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at London's Buckingham Palace. The former Manchester United star, who now plays for Real Madrid, said recently: 'I am honoured and privileged to receive this recognition. It's not just for me but for Manchester United, England, all of my teammates and my family'. [AP]

A day after scoring on a trademark free kick for Real Madrid in a Champions League victory, Beckham came to Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE — Officer of the Order of the British Empire — for services to the game.

The queen pinned the award on his lapel and the two exchanged a few words. Beckham then stepped backward and bowed.

Beckham, with his blond hair tied back in a tight ponytail, wore formal dress of black top hat and tails. He had a gold watch chain on his gray waistcoat and designer black leather shoes.

"Amazing," he told reporters. "It's great to receive an honor for playing football, for something I love doing."

What did the queen say to him?

"She said it's a great honor for her to be giving me the award," Beckham said. "She asked me about traveling back and forward playing football and I said it's not a problem. I said it's a great honor to be here with Her Majesty."

Asked how the award compared with his soccer achievements, he said, "This is probably the best I've received so far. It's an amazing day for me."

Beckham won six Premier League championships, two FA Cups and one European Cup title with Manchester United. He moved to Real Madrid last summer.

Beckham scored on a swerving free kick in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Olympique Marseille on Wednesday. It was Beckham's second goal in four days and fifth since joining the Spanish side.

Beckham's pop star wife, "Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham, and his grandparents accompanied him to the palace for the ceremony. Victoria stole some of the limelight with a designer headpiece branching out like feathers or leaves.

Beckham recently denied British newspaper reports that his marriage was in trouble.

"She's my wife so she was going to be with me whatever happens," he said Thursday. "She's a very supportive wife and I love her a lot."

He dismissed reports the two were planning to renew their wedding vows.

"It's the first I've heard about that," he said. "We don't need to do that."

The two posed for photographers, with Victoria displaying her trademark pout and Beckham giving her a peck on the nose.

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