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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What is going on with Brooklyn/Harper Beckham?

210 replies

IberianLynx · Today 13:20

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/harper-beckhams-devastating-gesture-after-37292907.amp

AIBU to feel sorry for Harper? If BB has an issue with his parents it shouldn’t mean that he also stops talking to his siblings. It’s equally as sad if the parents did choreographed the letter/visit.

Brooklyn Beckham accuses parents of using Harper for 'choreographed' house visit

Harper Beckham was spotted making a failed attempt to reunite with her brother Brooklyn, with a spokesperson dismissing the visit as another stunt from 'brand Beckham'

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/harper-beckhams-devastating-gesture-after-37292907.amp

OP posts:
IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · Today 15:04

Piglet89 · Today 14:51

Someone does this on ALMOST EVERY THREAD, apparently under the mistaken illusion they’re the wag of the century.

It’s been done to death and it’s not funny.

Is that you, David?

Genevieva · Today 15:07

SaffronsMadAboutMe · Today 14:50

You're very naïve if you think because she's 14 years old she doesn't understand her parents obsession with brand Beckham and with publicity.

After 14 years she'll be a complete expert.

And I didn't say he turned her away, as far as I'm aware he wasn't even in when she turned up for the photo opportunity?

You are twisting what I said. Nevertheless, I disagree. She only knows the world she has grown up in. She has never experienced family life in a private family where events are not shared for public consumption. She doesn’t know that it’s not normal for successful parents to broadcast a curated version of their lives to a public who are apparently willing to pay for it. Describing her as an expert make her sound calculating, which is absurd. She is a child and this is the only life she knows.

I do find celebrities sharing their children’s lives, or even introducing them to the media for consumption as they reach maturity, very disturbing. I can see how this would negatively affect some offspring, such as Brooklyn. I know nothing about his wife, other than the fact she’s a daughter of a billionaire who managed to have a private childhood, so the comparison must be palpable. The Beckhams could have had an affluent life without selling themselves as a commodity, but it would have been much more ordinary. Instead, they mix in the circles of the international super rich and they sell themselves to achieve it.

Do these decisions bother their other children? We dint know. Maybe not. Maybe Harper isn’t even aware of Brooklyn’s opinion on the matter. We don’t know that her brother’s public letter has been shared with her. No doubt the split will have caused a lot of pain, so her only experience of it will be feeling and witnessing the pain it has caused those around her. Even super rich people feel ordinary emotions.

Genevieva · Today 15:19

Calliopespa · Today 14:53

I think lots of girls are wearing them, but agree the bra/ no bra situation is all a bit precarious with some of them.

A single layer of thin bias cut satin? I’ve not seen any 14 year olds wearing anything like it. I’ve seen strappy satin tops with lace trim, usually worn by slightly older teenagers with clashing bra colours. Harper doesn’t need a proper bra for support, but she does need the sort of privacy provided by a first bra or a top that isn’t as non-existent as the satin she was wearing. With so much choice, a revealing baby pink petticoat seemed very odd.

Frumpitydoo · Today 15:25

Perhaps she's a flying monkey?

dayswithaY · Today 15:29

I did have some sympathy for D&V when this “estrangement” first blew up but now I can see Brooklyn’s point.

Apparently, you have to pay for a Hollywood Walk of Fame which is clearly what’s happened here, why else would an ex footballer from the UK be awarded one? Either that or it’s a stunt to drum up interest in the World Cup which most Americans are not interested in.

D&V have then used their 14 year old to do a very performative pap walk when they knew there was no chance Brooklyn would open the door, therefore instantly making him look bad. Who would do that to their own children?

Don’t get me started on Harper’s inappropriate clothing or that they are gearing up for her to be an influencer with her own skincare brand. They are a pair of shameless grifters, good on Brooklyn for breaking free.

ForWiseRoseCat · Today 15:34

The Beckham's will be the masters of their own downfall and the sooner that happens the better.

There is no way they didn't know Harper was going to do that visit. They would have had to have the driver and security ready. The fact they told the press and agreed to her pap walk is disturbing. But then this is the family that will turn everything into a media circus including private moments like this and their children's baptisms, his ridiculous 50th birthday celebrations plastered all over the news. Their fake displays of love and Victoria and her new face are so transparent.

They could have said no to the photos being used but they'd rather paint their eldest son in a bad light for ignoring his little sister even though he wasn't home.

The serial cheating man also makes a mockery of his knighthood. How he has the nerve to use 'Sir' alongside the likes of Sir Chris Hoy or Sir Kevin Sinfield.

SaffronsMadAboutMe · Today 15:34

Genevieva · Today 14:51

I do too. The thing I find oddest is that she is always dressed in revealing satin petticoats. My daughter wouldn’t be seen dead in them. They aren’t fashionable, but, more disturbingly, they look like 20th century undergarments. They are wholly unsuitable for children.

They've been very fashionable for a while now, especially at proms.

I'm not keen on them though.

Genevieva · Today 15:37

SaffronsMadAboutMe · Today 15:34

They've been very fashionable for a while now, especially at proms.

I'm not keen on them though.

All the girls at round her wear floor length dresses with more structure. But there a big difference between a teenage prom and a daytime event.

Genevieva · Today 15:37

Genevieva · Today 15:37

All the girls at round her wear floor length dresses with more structure. But there a big difference between a teenage prom and a daytime event.

*around here

Tableforjoan · Today 15:39

I agree none of the prom pictures I saw in the last two years locally have silk nighties it’s all proper dresses.

I don’t think I’ve ever in real at any parties seen a teenager or even in their 20’s wearing a silk nighties.

BeardySchnauzer · Today 15:39

Yes the star is paid for and will have been arranged when it was to time with the opening USA game. I understand they also have to bring some famous friends along.

she didn’t need to be there

Tableforjoan · Today 15:40

And as expected. My Google popped up about it

What is going on with Brooklyn/Harper Beckham?
DavidStopActingLikeADisgruntledPelican · Today 15:41

Generally I don’t give a shit but reading the article it seems that this whole thing was a tacky publicity stunt. I fully blame the parents for that btw, not the child. Just googled and apparently Harper is 14. Her parents should be protecting her, not setting up this kind of bollocks.

Tableforjoan · Today 15:42

And

What is going on with Brooklyn/Harper Beckham?
wetbugsthissummer · Today 15:46

I’m going to make a provocative suggestion.

David and Victoria Beckham are very lucky to be so rich. They are both prepared to work hard and are tenacious in what they pursue, but VB has no natural talent ( she admits this herself in her book learning to fly) and DB’s only talent is being very good at football, combined with the happy fortune of being good looking. None of their children appear to be talented sportspeople and even if they were, very few make any real money from it. Neither VB or DB are known to be particularly intelligent. They have four (?) children who they will understandably want to maintain in the life style of their peers, the only lifestyle they have known. They probably have legitimate doubts about their children’s ability to earn through their own efforts the sort of wealth they would need to keep that lifestyle. Very, very few people could. DB and VB probably also have an eye on ensuring their grandchildren and future generations are also kept wealthy. I suspect BB’s wife’s family ensured she had a cast iron prenup to protect their family wealth of that relationship breaks down. The Beckhams have no business to pass on to their kids in the way other wealthy families have.

In this context I can quite understand why they are keen to keep bringing in the cash through Brand Beckham, and keep building that. They may see it as a way of securing their children’s financial future. VB and DB don’t need the money but their kids need a huge amount of cash to maintain that lifestyle and social group for themselves and their own children, and need something to keep earning cash during their own lives. Media attention can do that for kids with nothing to sell but their name.

in thar context, getting their kids to perform brand Beckham could be seen as akin to people like us getting their kids to do homework. Not much fun but something that will hopefully secure their financial future.

These people live highly unusual lives. There may be reasons behind their behaviour that are more than self interested greed or vanity of DB and VB.

notacooldad · Today 15:47

To cut off siblings and other family members when your problems are with your parents is childish and hurtful
But sometimes necessary.

Yellowpapersun · Today 15:48

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · Today 13:47

Apparently he wasn't even in the city, so even if he wanted to see her he couldn't.

Can't believe I'm commenting on this when I really don't give a shit 😂

Same here but I'm a very nosey person 😂

Calliopespa · Today 15:49

Genevieva · Today 15:19

A single layer of thin bias cut satin? I’ve not seen any 14 year olds wearing anything like it. I’ve seen strappy satin tops with lace trim, usually worn by slightly older teenagers with clashing bra colours. Harper doesn’t need a proper bra for support, but she does need the sort of privacy provided by a first bra or a top that isn’t as non-existent as the satin she was wearing. With so much choice, a revealing baby pink petticoat seemed very odd.

Yes I think it's a privacy thing too. In fairness, you might be right about the bias cut satin, but lots of young girls are wearing bias cut and similar strappy tops and dresses in cotton. Have a look at brands like Brandy Melville.

Though I agree with you: there is something particularly negligee-like about bias cut satin. I am often on these threads encouraging ops not to wear it for formal. I don't actually think it even flatters so can't see why you'd risk the lack of privacy as it shows every bump, ripple and movement. I really don't like the look of it.

Twatalert · Today 15:50

Everyone who can't see why he is NC with all his family when the problem is with the parents is so lucky. I can see why he would not speak to his siblings. All I can think of is how difficult it was for him to have Harper be collateral damage and remove himself completely. It is the hardest thing even if it means he chose himself and his own wellbeing, as he should. Harper is being used by her parents and he knows it.

Genevieva · Today 15:54

Calliopespa · Today 15:49

Yes I think it's a privacy thing too. In fairness, you might be right about the bias cut satin, but lots of young girls are wearing bias cut and similar strappy tops and dresses in cotton. Have a look at brands like Brandy Melville.

Though I agree with you: there is something particularly negligee-like about bias cut satin. I am often on these threads encouraging ops not to wear it for formal. I don't actually think it even flatters so can't see why you'd risk the lack of privacy as it shows every bump, ripple and movement. I really don't like the look of it.

I can’t stand Brandy Melville. I’ve been to their shop twice now and said never again. Clothes stacked high, utter chaos, teenage staff, the clothes are so poorly made they won’t last a season. I’ve told my girls that I’d rather pay the difference between a Brandy Melville item of clothing and something from Subdued (another teenage favourite but better made and the clothes come in more than one size).

JulietteHasAGun · Today 15:56

Sadly I think he’s right about his parents setting it up and tipping the paps off. Another example possibly of them being controlling? But maybe they’re also desperate and miss him a lot.

I feel sorry for all of them and I say that as someone who went NC with my mum. Nobody is happy in such a situation but sometimes it’s necessary. I also agree about people being used as flying monkeys and I imagine Harper could easily be put in that situation.

i imagine neither side are blameless. Obviously I have no inside knowledge of their relationship but reading between the lines it does seem Ma and Pa could be a tad controlling, or at least perceived that way. But I imagine done with the best intentions. They’re both driven people and as a parent of similar aged dc you do have to be careful not to overstep the mark and let them find their own way. Even if you do think you know best or can help. Maybe a different dc could have laughed it off rather than having such a strop over it. But then you throw into the mix a girlfriend (now wife) who according to various sources has a Reputation for trying to distance her previous boyfriend from his family. Then Brooklyn has a little moan, she stokes the fires and it all explodes. Because their other kids are fine with their parents and Nicola has a reputation for being controlling I’d imagine that’s not far from the truth. I hope they can sort it out. But they need to back off and let him work it out on his own.

Tableforjoan · Today 16:00

The other children’s partners and parents couldn’t support their celeb lifestyle either a good reason for the other boys to cling on still.

Brooklyn currently doesn’t need his parents for the celeb lifestyle he married into a much richer family.

It’s easy to leave when it won’t change your life in a negative way. Harder to go from crying in a Ferrari to a bicycle.

BeardySchnauzer · Today 16:00

I don’t think the other kids being ‘onboard’ is a sign it’s Nicola stoking the flames tbh.

they are very dependent on their parents and have girlfriends on the payroll. Nicola has had a more similar childhood being brought up in wealth but was shielded more.

JulietteHasAGun · Today 16:02

blacksax · Today 14:35

Word reaches me that the paps are there all the time, regardless. It's their job.

Surely they’d have known he was in New York? They’re not stupid, he was posting on Instagram? If they were really hanging around all the time they’d have known he left home a few days ago and hadn’t returned. They’re not going to hang around for days and days on the off chance he returns…..he’s not that famous or worth it.

JulietteHasAGun · Today 16:04

BeardySchnauzer · Today 16:00

I don’t think the other kids being ‘onboard’ is a sign it’s Nicola stoking the flames tbh.

they are very dependent on their parents and have girlfriends on the payroll. Nicola has had a more similar childhood being brought up in wealth but was shielded more.

Maybe. I guess I hadn’t considered the money aspect of it. Brooklyn got a life raft with Nicola I guess. When I went NC with my mum my other siblings were also NC which in my mind was evidence that we were right and she wasn’t.