When Victoria Beckham sits down at the table at the opulent London restaurant where she will celebrate her 50th birthday next week in the company of her nearest and dearest, she will do so with a huge smile on her face.
As a woman who for decades did not have the confidence to smile in public, this milestone is one of the most poignant of her life.
Finally, after years of worrying about what others would think of her and the global scrutiny she’s endured, she simply doesn’t give a damn anymore.
Friends of the fashion designer, still affectionately known as Posh Spice, say she is “quietly content” with her life.
And despite his wealth of around £365 million, his favorite gift is something money can’t buy: having all his children together in the same room, something that, according to sources close to the family, “rarely ever anymore.” happens”.
For that reason alone, next Wednesday, your birthday, is special. She will be joined by her four children for a little “family” day, some of whom will fly from the United States to watch her blow out the candles.
Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, actress Nicola Peltz, celebrated their wedding anniversary with their parents David and Victoria last year.
Two years ago they barely spoke, but the Mail can reveal that Nicola really sees Victoria as her second mother.
For Victoria there is one guest who will really warm her heart: her daughter-in-law Nicola.
“Repairing those consequences is something Victoria is immensely proud of and it gives her great joy to be a part of these celebrations,” said a friend.
Brooklyn, 25, and his wife Nicola will fly 5,000 miles from Los Angeles to be by his side, as will his youngest son Cruz, 19, who also moved there to further his music career. Romeo, 21, has cleaned up his diary and Harper, 12, his only daughter, will join in when the school day ends.
“It’s going to be a small, intimate family gathering, and it’s literally the best gift you could have,” the friend said. ‘It will be near her home in London. David has had some surprises but what Victoria really wants is to be surrounded by her loved ones.
“The children will stay for a few days, which Victoria loves, and they will all join her at her elegant dinner on Saturday night.”
For this, a group of close friends will join the family. While the guest list will be selective, I’m told to expect some ‘well-known names’, including her best friend Tana Ramsay and her husband Gordon.
Actress Eva Longoria is also expected to fly from the United States and “one or two” of the Spice Girls could appear. But, according to sources, it will not be a “circus.”
“The champagne will flow, as will the tequila, but it won’t be a big party,” the friend said. “Despite what people think, Victoria is not a flashy, flashy person and she doesn’t have multitudes of mates, just special people she wants to spend her big day with.”
For Victoria, however, there is one guest who will truly warm her heart: her daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz.
“Victoria considers herself 50 years old and if her husband still loves her butt then she is delighted,” they tell me.
“Her birthday will be a small, intimate family gathering, and it’s literally the best gift she could ever have,” a friend said.
On July 4, Victoria and David will celebrate another big milestone: their 25th wedding anniversary.
Two years ago, the women were not on speaking terms following Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding in April 2022, and Victoria and David feared they would lose Brooklyn over the dispute.
Speculation about the cause of the split was rife, but it seemed problems began after it emerged Victoria didn’t have time to make Nicola’s wedding dress.
Instead, the bride wore Valentino and later gave an interview insisting that her choice of designer was not intended as a snub against her future mother-in-law.
But today things couldn’t be more different. In fact, the Mail can reveal that Nicola really sees Victoria as a second mother to her.
‘Nicola comes from a huge [extended] family and as such her mother has many different children to look after,” says a friend. ‘Nicola has formed this beautiful bond with Victoria, Nicola is literally like her own daughter.
‘Repairing those consequences is something Victoria is immensely proud of and it brings her so much joy to be part of these celebrations. Having her there is a wonderful gift.”
As for the birthday girl’s outfit, there’s also good news for Victoria: Her surgical boot will almost certainly come off.
He broke his foot after falling at the gym on Valentine’s Day and has since had to wear the unsightly equipment while he recovers. She has told the Mail that the breakup has been difficult to heal because she is so “active”.
As a result, David, 48, playfully gifted her with a £300 KneeRover mobility bike, designed to ensure she keeps pressure on her left leg, giving her the best chance of being ready for her big day.
“One or two” of the Spice Girls could appear at the birthday celebrations. But, according to sources, it will not be a “circus”
Victoria, known as Posh Spice, and the other Spice Girls meet the Queen after the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in 1997.
Victoria has been seen limping to and from fashion shows and dinners with crutches and wearing one shoe, sometimes a high heel, and the other in a boot.
While her friends say she took the injury “very calmly,” they also insist she is determined to look her best when she turns 50 and is willing to do whatever it takes to arrive at her celebrations with both feet in the game. her characteristic high heels.
“It’s been a really frustrating time for Victoria and she’s been seeing a lot of medical experts lately so they can see the progress she’s making,” a friend said.
“But at the moment she’s pretty sure she’ll put her stilettos back on in time for her party.” Victoria and of course David, who has also invested so much in fixing it, literally have it all crossed.’
It would be the last piece of his 50th birthday puzzle. In addition to resolving her family rift with Brooklyn and Nicola, she is delighted to have overcome the financial situation of her fashion company.
In December, she recorded turning a profit for the first time in 15 years, helped by sales of an £890 handbag, a £30 eyeliner and a carefully orchestrated social media strategy in which she posts video tutorials of makeup. on TikTok that are viewed by millions. It’s something she is said to be “very proud” of.
On July 4, Victoria and David will celebrate another big milestone: their 25th wedding anniversary. They first met when Victoria was in the Spice Girls and David played for Manchester United, and few thought it would last the test of time.
However, despite some low moments, including David’s alleged affair with his personal assistant Rebecca Loos in 2004 while playing for Real Madrid, it has become one of the longest-lasting marriages in showbiz and there are plans in the works. march for another kind of party.
Today, his friends say, his marriage is better than ever. As their amassed 120 million Instagram followers can attest, the couple enjoys their time together, especially at weekends, in their converted barn in the Cotswolds Village of Great Tew.
Recently, Victoria posted a video of the former England captain changing a light bulb, zooming in on his bum as she filmed it. He’s done the same thing with her, and while there were times in the past when she wouldn’t have been amused, he couldn’t love him more now.
“Victoria considers herself 50 years old and if her husband still loves her butt then she is delighted,” they tell me.
‘It kind of sums up their relationship. They are happy and happy, they laugh a lot, which has been one of the keys to making this work. It wouldn’t be a lie to say that they are in a better place than ever. And that delights Victoria.
She also feels blessed to still have her parents, Tony and Jackie, as well as her in-laws, Ted and Sandra.
In short, her friends say, Victoria has come of age and her life has taken shape.
“For a long time she has felt scrutinized and judged. And now for Victoria it’s not about money, but about satisfaction. She’s finally gotten comfortable with herself and no longer gives a damn what people think.
‘For years people said she only had a fashion brand thanks to David, but she has proven that’s not the case and there is a huge sense of pride.
She has found herself in both her professional and personal life. Something has really changed in her.’
Speaking on David’s Netflix documentary, Beckham told viewers how he now felt “at peace”.
“I feel very happy now and I have the feeling that [David] Be happy now. When you were younger you were constantly chasing and there’s an element where you’re passing the baton and you want that for your children.’
Speaking of which, there’s another gift that money can’t buy that would be the icing on Victoria’s birthday cake: becoming a grandmother.
Although she recently joked that she wasn’t quite prepared for the next generation of Beckhams, as a mother of four, there’s nothing she and David would love more. So will it happen during her big year?
“Brooklyn is obsessed with babies,” said a family friend. ‘She was about 11 when Harper was born and has adored her ever since. She wants to be a young father. So, she watches this space.’