fashion

The Beckham family and the girlfriend problem that won't go away.

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The Beckhams have it all, don't they?

David, one of the world's most famous athletes, married Victoria, a Spice Girl turned fashion mogul. Together they've built an empire and raised four gorgeous kids. They're basically the definition of the picture-perfect celebrity family. 

Except for one tiny problem: their sons' girlfriends.

The Beckhams have mastered the art of looking flawless on Instagram, but when it comes to their sons' romantic lives? Well, that's where things get messy. And by messy, we mean really messy.

Watch: The Mamamia Out Loud team explains the Beckham/Peltz yacht feud. Post continues below.


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Let's start with the elephant in the room: Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz. What should have been a fairy-tale addition to the Beckham dynasty has instead become a masterclass in family drama.

The rumours have been swirling for years now about tension between Nicola and the Beckham clan, particularly Victoria. From wedding planning disputes to social media snubs, the relationship between Brooklyn's wife and his family has been... complicated.

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Brooklyn, seemingly caught in the middle, has reportedly distanced himself from his family at times, choosing his wife over uncomfortable family gatherings. It's the classic "my wife vs. my mum" scenario, played out on a very public stage.

But Brooklyn isn't the only Beckham son dealing with girlfriend complications. Enter Romeo and the Kim Turnbull situation.

Kim Turnbull and Romeo BeckhamKim Turnbull and Romeo Beckham. Image: Getty.

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Kim, who reportedly had a past with Brooklyn, then became Romeo's girlfriend. And apparently, this created some family tension.

"Brooklyn didn't want to be in the same room as her, and he told his dad that," a source told People in June. "But David opted to have Kim there over Nicola."

Another source added: "Brooklyn and Kim know each other from the past, and his family knows he's not comfortable around her."

The relationship between Romeo and Kim reportedly ended shortly after these revelations came to light. Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it.

Then there's Cruz, the youngest Beckham son, who's been dating Jackie Apostel, a songwriter and influencer who's almost ten years his senior. And the internet — predictably — had thoughts about this pairing, with many questioning the significant age gap.

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But here's where it gets interesting: the family seems to have fully embraced Jackie. She's been spotted at Victoria's fashion shows, integrated into family events, and generally treated like she belongs. Victoria even occasionally leaves supportive comments on Jackie's Instagram. 

The double standard? And that's where the real tea lies. Why does Cruz's much-older girlfriend get the red carpet treatment while Brooklyn's wife seems to be kept at arm's length? Why was Romeo's girlfriend caught in family politics?

It's hard not to notice the pattern here. Perhaps it's about control. Perhaps it's about protecting the brand. Or perhaps it's just good old-fashioned family dynamics playing out under the world's most intense spotlight.

Whatever the reason, one thing's clear: being a Beckham girlfriend (or wife) comes with complications that go far beyond the usual "meeting the parents" nerves.

The Beckhams might have mastered the art of looking perfect, but when it comes to love? Well, that's proving to be their most challenging game yet.

Listen to the latest episode of The Spill, Mamamia's pop culture and entertainment podcast.

Feature Image: Getty.

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