Inside David Beckham’s triumphant Chinese comeback: the football legend dazzled Hong Kong and Macau fans at The Londoner’s grand opening, a Tudor watch showcase and a surprise Adidas appearance
- Becks made a royal return to Hong Kong and Macau last week, as VIP guest at Sands China’s The Londoner Macao’s grand opening; he also checked out his pal’s forthcoming Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill restaurant
- The Tudor #BornToDare checked in for performances from singer G.E.M. and pianist Lang Lang; despite rumours, wife Victoria Beckham didn’t attend – but we followed his every move
When David Beckham announced his partnership with The Londoner Macao back in 2019, little did he – or the rest of the world – know it would be four long years until he’d return to the region.
Fortunately, the football mega star’s comeback was nothing short of spectacular, meeting fans and media, dazzling Macau’s industry bigwigs and even surprising unsuspecting onlookers in Hong Kong.
Beckham, who is a brand ambassador for The Londoner Macao’s resort owner Sands China, even worked with the hotel’s interior design team to create exclusive David Beckham-themed suites at the glitzy resort.
So when The Londoner Macao finally swung its doors open for its much-anticipated grand opening , Becks was front and centre of the festivities.
Macau’s British hotspot
Things kicked into top gear on Thursday, when Beckham swung by The Londoner Macao for a grand celebration marking the completion of the integrated resort’s ambitious redesign.
For the big event, Sands China rolled out the red carpet to welcome international celebrities and VIPs, Macau’s top officials and business leaders for the first time since the pandemic began.
The event also featured performances by China’s world-famous piano virtuoso Lang Lang, Hong Kong singer-songwriter G.E.M., and Chinese musical theatre artist and actor Ayanga. And for dessert, British jazz-pop treasure Jamie Cullum performed at an intimate gala dinner.
Of course, the flashbulb-popping highlight of the night was undoubtedly the arrival of Beckham, who casually mingled with VIP guests on the red carpet and snapped pictures with fans. Unsurprisingly, the London-born talent looked right at home at the British-themed event.
“London is an incredible city and one that I am proud to call my home,” Beckham said. “To be able to work so closely with the Sands team to bring the elements of London that I love to the city of Macau is a wonderful opportunity. Interior design is a real passion for me.”
Despite rumours circulating ahead of the event, wife Victoria Beckham did not make an appearance.
A sparkly Tudor showcase
A day earlier, Tudor hosted a special event in Macau to showcase its latest timepieces for 2023. Also held at The Londoner Macao, it featured the brand’s new timepieces alongside, yes you guessed it, Tudor’s #BornToDare global ambassador, David Beckham.
Marking his debut appearance in Macau with Tudor, Becks was welcomed by Style and exclusive VIP guests at the Suites by David Beckham, which he co-created for The Londoner Macao.
At the intimate evening cocktail party, attended by some 130 guests, Beckham charmed the audience with stories of his recent visit to the Tudor Manufacture complex and praised the level of precision and efficiency of the brand.
He dropped by pal Gordon Ramsay’s new spot
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is also part of The Londoner Macao family, heading up Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, a classic gastropub that is set to open later this year.
Of course, it’s no secret Beckham and Ramsay are close friends, so it’s also no surprise Beckham went to check in on the restaurant’s progress.
“I told Gordon I was in town, so he asked me to go check out the restaurant,” the Man United legend told reporters at The Londoner’s launch. “I went to go see it and it’s already looking really good.”
By the sound of it, we wouldn’t be surprised if Becks shows up for the restaurant’s launch to support his bestie when it finally opens in the coming months.
Hello, Hong Kong!
Hongkongers got an unexpected “hello” indeed when Beckham popped up into the city last week.
The 48-year-old shocked shoppers in Pacific Place in Admiralty when he showed up at the mall’s Adidas store on Tuesday (May 23) afternoon.
The former captain of the England football team delighted crowds of fans who quickly gathered to see him. As a long-time ambassador of Adidas, he happily posed for photos, signed autographs and cheerfully chatted away with excited customers.
With two cities, three brands, and thousands of fans feeling pleased and charmed, it was a successful week for Brand Beckham in China indeed.
