The already public and increasingly fraught relationship between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest son, Brooklyn, has taken another visible turn. Brooklyn, 26, appears to have removed a tattoo dedicated to his father, Sir David Beckham, a move widely interpreted as a symbolic gesture amidst the ongoing family feud. The alteration was first noted by The Sun on Wednesday, , and has since been reported by multiple outlets including Hello! Magazine and India Today.
The tattoo, originally part of an intricate anchor design on Brooklyn’s right arm, featured the word “DAD.” It has now been covered by three small, unidentified symbols. Notably, the phrase “Love You Bust,” a reference to the affectionate nickname David Beckham uses for his son – and which David himself has tattooed on his neck – remains visible beneath the anchor. This detail suggests the decision to remove “DAD” wasn’t a wholesale rejection of their bond, but a carefully considered act.
The removal of the tattoo follows weeks of escalating tension. On , Brooklyn released a statement via Instagram Stories, criticizing his parents for allegedly sharing “lies” with the press. He stated he had been “silent for years” and felt compelled to speak out after feeling his parents and their team continued to fuel negative press coverage. The statement marked a significant escalation in a feud that had been simmering for months, fueled by reports of disagreements over Brooklyn’s marriage to Nicola Peltz Beckham and the couple’s perceived distance from the wider Beckham family.
Adding another layer to the situation, reports surfaced in December 2025 that Brooklyn had blocked his parents and other family members on Instagram. However, Brooklyn’s younger brother, Cruz Beckham, quickly refuted claims that David and Victoria had unfollowed Brooklyn, stating that Brooklyn had, in fact, blocked them. “NOT TRUE,” Cruz wrote in a post, adding, “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”
Sources cited by The Sun indicate the “DAD” tattoo was removed using laser treatment. “Brooklyn’s had laser treatment on the writing,” one source revealed, while another bluntly stated, “He wanted it gone.” The deliberate nature of the removal, as opposed to a simple cover-up, underscores the symbolic weight of the act.
The Beckhams’ family dynamic has long been a subject of public fascination, evolving from the height of “Posh and Becks” celebrity culture to navigating the complexities of a growing family and individual ambitions. Brooklyn’s pursuit of a career in photography and cooking, while supported by his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, has reportedly been a point of contention, with some sources suggesting his parents had hoped for a different path for their eldest son.
The current rift appears to stem from a confluence of factors, including differing opinions on wedding planning, Brooklyn’s professional choices, and a perceived imbalance in media coverage. Nicola Peltz Beckham’s family, notably her father Nelson Peltz, has also been drawn into the narrative, with reports of strained relations and differing perspectives on the family’s public image.
While the removal of the tattoo is a highly visible manifestation of the conflict, it remains to be seen whether it represents a permanent severing of ties or a temporary expression of frustration. Brooklyn’s statement indicating a desire to stand up for himself and his choices suggests a determination to forge his own path, independent of his parents’ influence. The continued presence of “Love You Bust” within the anchor tattoo, however, hints at a lingering affection and a complex emotional landscape.
As of , neither David nor Victoria Beckham have publicly commented on the tattoo removal or the ongoing family dispute. Brooklyn Beckham’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the laser treatment or the motivation behind the alteration.
