Brooklyn Beckham has really put his foot in it. Again. How? By declaring his love for wife Nicola Peltz, promising to ‘always choose’ her.
Unless I’m missing something, isn’t that quite literally the most important vow you make to one another before saying ‘I do’?
Of course, this appears to be a loaded statement. The eldest of the Beckham sprogs is reportedly in the midst of a sad feud with the rest of his family, missing out on all three (yes, he had three) of dad David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations with no clear explanation.
Brooklyn is yet to directly address claims of a feud with his family, but the silence from both parties appears to say a lot.
His latest post has riled up the Beckham loyalists though, sharing a video of himself riding a motorbike with his wife on the back, with the caption: ‘My whole world x I will love you forever x.
‘I always choose you baby x you’re the most amazing person i know xx me and you forever baby.’
Personally, the only problem I have with such a gushy post is that is it peak ick and that neither of them appear to be wearing any safety gear beyond a helmet.
For the overwhelming majority though, this post is an abomination.
‘I quite liked you up to this post!’ Is currently one of the top comments, while another reads: ‘Blood is thicker than water. You might be feeling confident now. But just remember that while you’re on the way up. Who’s going to be there for if you ever fall down. Make sure the damage isn’t irreparable when you need your family again. The real blood ones. Not a piece of paper.’
Others have noted that a wife shouldn’t ‘force’ their husband to choose between them and their family.
What evidence do we have exactly that he’s been forced into anything? Brooklyn is 26 years old and while he may have made some peculiar choices in his time, he is more than capable of knowing who and what is best for him right now.
I have no idea what has gone on between Brooklyn and his family and neither does anyone posting such bold comments as though they do.
All we know is that he is standing by his wife, who may not even be the root cause of said conflict.
I’ve written before that there are clear parallels between the venom thrown at Nicola and the irrational hatred towards Meghan Markle.
Both are married to men who have been raised in the public eye since they were in the womb and subsequently, many feel particularly protective over their future. For some inexplicable reason though, the public feels they know what is best for Brooklyn and Prince Harry without knowing the facts.
Brooklyn and Nicola have reportedly grown close to Harry and Meghan, which isn’t surprising. No one else could ever quite understand the weight of growing up with the public feeling like they have ownership of your life or understand what it’s like marrying into that bizarre circumstance.
Whatever the cause of the Beckham feud, the reaction to Brooklyn’s latest post raises an important question: For how long do we owe our parents? And when is it ok to put others outside of our family first?
I’m very fortunate that I have never fallen out with my mum and dad beyond the pity bicker of being dragged to something I didn’t want to go to as a child. I’m also very fortunate my partner is the warmest person I know, they get along and I can’t imagine a world when being with my partner and loving my parents wouldn’t be compatible.
But what do I owe my parents? Ok, financially – a lot. I will forever be in their debt and on a journalist’s wage it’s unlikely I’d ever be able to pay them back.
However, I don’t owe them my total allegiance if they became embroiled in a row with my partner.
Of course, that doesn’t give him free reign to ignite a row with my family for no reason either, but as it stands we have no idea what has happened here so why should anyone be so sure Brooklyn should put his family before his marriage?
I love my parents more than anything, I am so blessed to have a mum and dad who loved and supported me when I haven’t always been a particularly good child.
I don’t know if it’s even possible to repay them for the life they’ve given me, the foundations of being able to go through life knowing they will always be there for me is the greatest privilege I could ever ask for and I do not take it for granted.
But even they would be horrified to think that I would owe them a loyalty beyond my marriage when, for all intents and purposes, they could carry some of the blame.
Whatever has blown up in Chez Beckham, it’s unlikely to be black and white. The Beckhams have always presented themselves as the poster for the perfect family and it turns out, like the rest of us, they’re not immune to the odd crack and that is absolutely fine.
I’ve never been involved in a family feud but I have witnessed how heartbreaking they can be first-hand. I’ve seen families torn apart and unable to heal the wounds before it’s been too late and a life has been cut short.
I hope the Beckhams heal and that whatever has seemingly caused this rift isn’t so colossal that their broken relationship is irreparable – but at some point in life, it is ok to put others before family or at least feel the same affection and loyalty.
Friends become family, partners become spouses and then they are quite literally family. Ultimately, Brooklyn has the moral compass and it’s up to him to decide where it’s pointing.