David Beckham says he is ‘truly saddened’ by the Queen's death and has sent his ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the Royal Family.
The former England, Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, who has a home on the Great Tew Estate, met the Queen several times and was appointed an OBE for services to football in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2003.
Paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth, Beckham said: "I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, The Queen.
"What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service.
"How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world.
"How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough.
"Until her last days she served her country with dignity and grace. This year she would have known how loved she was. My thoughts and prayers are with our Royal Family."
Many sporting events have been called off following the Queen’s death, with all horse racing in Britain halted on Thursday following the announcement.
The English Football League has postponed its two games on Friday, while the Premier League are considering cancelling this weekend’s matches as a mark of respect.
Manchester United and West Ham’s Europa League matches went ahead on Thursday night ‘following direction from the Football Association and Uefa’, but both stadiums observed minute’s silence, with the players wearing black armbands.
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