Brooklyn Beckham's absence from David's birthday was 'real blow' as family hope to 'heal'

As celebrated his 50th birthday, concerns of a feud within the family grew as eldest son, , and his wife failed to show up to the many celebrations. The tension between the couple and the family "escalated in recent months", with David and hoping to heal the "obvious rift".

stepped up at dad David’s 50th birthday bash by giving a speech in the absence of his older brother Brooklyn. The 22-year-old was seen with cue cards in his pocket as he arrived at the party alongside brother Cruz, 20, and sister Harper, 13. He told guests at the swanky Core restaurant in London’s Notting Hill: “Without many of you, he wouldn’t be half of the man he is today.”

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and England legend David partied into the early hours of Sunday with A-list celebrities and pals from his football days. But the name he would have loved to have seen on the guest list – 26-year-old Brooklyn – was not there.

David has a tattoo on his neck reading “Buster”, his affectionate nickname for his first child. But the no-show by Brooklyn and his actress wife Nicola, 30, was not a complete surprise to the guests.

The divide between Brooklyn and the rest of the family has been dragging on for months, but it is still hurting David and wife Victoria, 51. One source connected to the family claimed: “Brooklyn not turning up was a real blow to David.

“Brooklyn was close with his dad growing up, but he is married now. His wife Nicola is older and confident in her own right, and so there is distance between Brooklyn and his parents. It has become a problem and not something they can keep private because of the way the family uses social media. Things have escalated in recent months, and there is a very obvious rift that David and Victoria would love to heal.”

Victoria was back on social media last night with a post praising all of her children who did make the bash. Tagging Romeo, Cruz and Harper, she said: “Creating special memories with family and friends. We love you all.” Brooklyn was not mentioned.

A few days earlier, David had still shown love for Brooklyn in his birthday message. In a sweet post full of throwback photos, the football legend said all four kids were his “biggest accomplishment” and “the reason I get out of bed each day”.

In his speech on Saturday night, Romeo praised his dad at length, having already called him “the most amazing role model” on social media.

Brooklyn and Nicola flew to London from their LA home last week. As well as David’s 50th, they also did not attend Victoria’s birthday celebrations in April, or send a public Mother’s Day message in March.

Some have insisted the rift is all about Nicola’s relationship with the Beckhams, but Brooklyn has also yet to post on his own social media about his dad’s milestone. The couple did not attend family celebrations in France on Friday, nor the big party at the Beckhams’ £10million mansion in the Cotswolds on Wednesday.

However, David was not short of friends and family to party with at the weekend. Other guests included actor Tom Cruise, ex-teammate , and TV chef Gordon Ramsay. Gary, who turned 50 in February, wrote on social media: “Happy 50th mate. You’re the best! Stand still today for once and reflect on everything you have achieved and done in these first 50 years of your life.

“We’ve won, lost, laughed and cried, but had the most incredible times together. I can still see our mums and dads in the crowd. Everything you’ve done has come through humility, care and hard work. I’m proud of you and, more importantly, trust you with my life. All my love to you.”

He was one of the last to leave the celebrations at around 3am on Sunday morning and appeared to have enjoyed some fine wine with David as he raised his arms aloft and played around for the camera before posing and kissing his wife Emma.

Gordon Ramsay said on social media: “Fantastic night of celebrations, thanks David Beckham and ”, alongside a photo with his wife Tana taken on Saturday.

Other guests included director Guy Ritchie and his wife Jacqui Ainsley, actress Eva Longoria and members of David’s family such as his dad Ted, 76, mum Sandra, 75, and sisters Lynne, 52, and Joanne, 43.

But there was no Buster – and with David’s birthday celebrations now over, the row has gone into extra time.

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