The Beckham family gathered over the weekend to celebrate Cruz Beckham’s 21st birthday a few days early, sharing plenty of love and laughter despite ongoing family tensions with Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham. Victoria Beckham posted a heartfelt series of family photos on Instagram, capturing the joy of the milestone before Cruz Beckham’s actual birthday on February 20.

Warm family moments

Victoria Beckham, aged 51, shared a carousel of images from the intimate party on Monday, February 16. One touching photo shows Cruz Beckham kissing his girlfriend Jackie Apostel’s cheek. Another captures Cruz Beckham smiling with his parents David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, while a group shot includes Romeo Beckham with his girlfriend and their youngest sister Harper Beckham grinning alongside everyone.Victoria Beckham captioned the post with simple, loving words. “Celebrating Cruz Beckham early!! We love you so much!!! @cruzbeckham,” she wrote, showing the tight bond they all share. Jackie Apostel jumped in on Instagram that same day too. She shared photos of Cruz Beckham rocking out on stage with a Beatles tribute band called The Breakers, along with clips of the couple swaying close while dancing under the lights.“Our favorite person got the most special early birthday celebrations,” Jackie Apostel wrote warmly. “I love every one of you so much, and what an unbelievably beautiful night we had,” she added, her excitement jumping off the screen.

Notable absences

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, 31, skipped the party entirely. Their absence caught eyes right away, especially with the family’s recent public drama still fresh. Just weeks before, on January 19, Brooklyn Beckham opened up in a raw Instagram Stories post. He accused David Beckham and Victoria Beckham of trying to undermine his marriage to Nicola Peltz Beckham from day one.Brooklyn Beckham said his family had spread stories painting Nicola Peltz Beckham as controlling. “I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life,” Brooklyn Beckham shared honestly. He talked about the anxiety he felt growing up and how it faded once he stepped back. “My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation,” he made clear.Brooklyn Beckham even claimed Victoria Beckham invited his ex-girlfriend to events to make things awkward. He drew a firm line, saying, “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m standing up for myself for the first time.”

Long-standing familial tensions

The family strain goes back years, really heating up around Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham’s 2022 wedding. Rumors swirled about wedding snubs, like Victoria Beckham possibly overshadowing Nicola Peltz Beckham on her big day, though details vary depending on who you ask. Things boiled over near David Beckham’s 50th birthday in May 2025, which Brooklyn Beckham skipped even after getting an invite.Brooklyn Beckham’s brothers have chimed in with subtle posts, too. Cruz Beckham once wrote, “Life is too short, talk it out,” and Romeo Beckham pushed for kindness and honesty online. Unfollows on social media between Brooklyn Beckham, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Romeo Beckham, and Cruz Beckham didn’t help matters. Folks close to David Beckham and Victoria Beckham say they’ve tried reaching out, but Brooklyn Beckham’s camp says otherwise.Even with the hurt hanging around, nights like Cruz Beckham’s early bash remind everyone of the love still holding strong for most of them. Fans keep hoping for some kind of family mend down the line, but right now, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, and the younger ones are just soaking up these happy times together.