‘I Am Humbled’: David Beckham Receives Humanitarian Award at Star-Studded UNICEF Ball

David Beckham says he’s strict with his children – but no so much with daughter Harper

PHOTO: DONATO SARDELLA/GETTY

David Beckham may have flown solo at Tuesday’s 6th Biennial UNICEF Ball, but there was no shortage of famous faces at the star-studded event.

The longtime Goodwill Ambassador received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Leadership Award at the Beverly Hills event for his work with children worldwide as well as the work he does through his charity, Seven.

The 40-year-old found himself among stars like Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez and the event’s headline performer, Mariah Carey.

Beckham posted a photo on his Instagram account, writing that he is “extremely honoured” to receive the award.

“I can’t wait to continue doing all I can for Unicef and my 7 Fund, 7.org, to help children across the world,” Beckham captioned a photo of himself along with a group of children.

Elton John and David Furnish presented Beckham with the award.

“I am humbled tonight,” Beckham said in his acceptance speech, adding: “We live in a world in which children still die of preventable diseases. Children are still being abused. I have four children of my own. I will not stop supporting this charity that does so much for so many children around the world.”

Meanwhile, his wife, Victoria Beckham, sent support from their London home.

“We are so proud of @davidbeckham receiving the @UNICEFUSA humanitarian leadership award at the #UNICEFball X You are an Inspiration to so many people with the Incredible work you do we love u so much Victoria,Brooklyn,Romeo,Cruz and Harper x,” the fashion designer captioned an Instagram photo of a tuxedo-clad David.

Speaking with reporters, he opened up about his and wife Victoria’s parenting philosophy, saying, “We’re very present with our kids. We’re very hands-on and we will continue to be. And our children are very honest with us.”

That honesty extends to social media: Beckham said that son Brooklyn, who is active on Instagram, keeps an open communication with his parents about what he plans to post.

“We’re very lucky that we’ve got a 16-year-old that actually shares every [social media] post with us – asks us about every post,” Beckham said. “And I think that’s important. Obviously, social media for kids can be dangerous, and so I think that it’s important, as a parent, you have a certain amount of control with that, and we’re lucky that our 16-year-old shares that with us.”

The father of four, however, also revealed a soft spot for 4-year-old daughter Harper.

“I have no power with that little girl – no power whatsoever,” he said. “I love all my children, of course, equally, but I’m definitely stricter with the boys than I am Harper, which gets me in trouble with my wife, of course.”

• With reporting by REAGAN ALEXANDER