Family

David Beckham defends kissing his kids on the lips

David Beckham has spoken out about the criticism he faced after sharing a photo of him kissing his five-year-old daughter Harper Beckham.
Loading the player...

One month ago David Beckham found themselves embroiled in a bizarre battle.

The former Manchester United football legend shared a holiday photo from his trip to Tanzania with five-year-old daughter Harper.

The father-of-four and his little girl shared a kiss, which Victoria Beckham’s hubby captioned, “Kiss for Daddy”.

David is fiercely protective of his little girl.

Since we now live in a world where the public is both judge and jury – many decide to share their expert opinion on the way the Brit showed affection towards Harper.

“To be honest kissing your daughter on the lips is a little weird…” one user wrote, with another adding, “I try not to judge but I can’t help but think it’s pretty weird that he kisses her on the lips considering her age.”

The 42-year-old has now spoken out about the drama surrounding the tender snap.

Loading the player...

In David’s very first Facebook Live, he confessed he adores showing his little ones he cares.

“I got actually criticised for kissing my daughter on the lips the other day. I kiss all my kids on the lips,” he said about his kids children Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 14, Cruz, 12 and five-year-old Harper.

Though the proud papa did admit that his eldest wasn’t as keen for a dad smooch.

“Brooklyn maybe not. Brooklyn is 18, so he might find that a little strange, but I’m very affectionate with the kids.”

Brooklyn is now 18

The sporting legend explained that both he and Victoria were raised in an affectionate household and have no qualms about doing the same with their family.

“It’s how I was brought up – and Victoria – It’s how we are with our children,” David said.

“We want to show our kids love and we protect them, look after them, and support them, and we’re very affectionate with them.”

Last year, Victoria found herself on the firing line, sharing a snap of herself giving Harper a kiss in a birthday post.

Some social media users critisied the picture, saying it was a “horrible” and “controversial”.

Family friend and mother to four children, Heidi Klum, once gushed about Posh and Beck’s kid’s manners, saying that they were the “most polite children in Hollywood”.

We chatted to Mother & Baby editor Erin Mayo, who mused, “This whole issue has been around in the past, where people have sexualised an innocent, sweet moment between a parent and a child.

“I think most parents will admit that they still give their four- or five-year-old a kiss on the lips – I know I do. It’s a kiss – there is nothing sexual about it!”

“It’s a shame that something so innocent and natural has been made out to be something tawdry.”

Related stories