Romeo Beckham’s full-circle runway return

The damp, cobblestone atmosphere of London’s Old Billingsgate Walk provided a moody backdrop for Burberry’s Autumn/Winter 2026 show this week. Romeo Beckham emerged from the shadows of the industrial-chic venue, looking absolutely fabulous.

At 23, Romeo has officially traded the grass of the pitch for the grit of the runway, and if his performance for Burberry is any indication, the fashion world is more than ready to welcome him back.

The Burberry prodigal son

To understand why this walk felt so monumental, one must look back to 2012. At just ten years old, a gap-toothed, trench-coated Romeo became the face of Burberry’s festive campaign, shot by Mario Testino. It was a viral moment before “going viral” was a formalised metric. He was charming, slightly mischievous, and possessed a natural ease in front of the lens that suggested the Beckham brand was evolving from athletic prowess into a more nuanced, aesthetic dynasty.

Fourteen years later, the mischievous boy has been replaced by a man with sharp, angular features and a walk that suggests a reserved, focused intensity. Closing the AW26 show — a coveted spot usually reserved for the season’s “it” face, Romeo wore a look that combined Burberry’s heritage with a modern, nocturnal edge: a deep plum leather bomber jacket topped with a burgundy fur collar. It was a look that screamed “London Nightlife,” and Romeo wore it with the nonchalance of someone who spent his formative years navigating both the paparazzi and the locker room.

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The field to the runway

For the last few years, Romeo’s narrative was defined by the “will-he-won’t-he” of professional football. After a brief hiatus to pursue tennis, he followed his father’s footsteps to Inter Miami II and eventually to Brentford B in London. He was a capable right winger, possessing his father’s crossing ability and a work ethic that earned him respect among teammates.

However, the reality of being David Beckham’s son in a football kit is a weight few can carry. Every missed shot or substituted minute was analysed through the lens of legacy.

His decision in late 2024 to step away from the sport was seen as an act of self-actualisation.

The field to the runway

For the last few years, Romeo’s narrative was defined by the “will-he-won’t-he” of professional football. After a brief hiatus to pursue tennis, he followed his father’s footsteps to Inter Miami II and eventually to Brentford B in London. He was a capable right winger, possessing his father’s crossing ability and a work ethic that earned him respect among teammates.

However, the reality of being David Beckham’s son in a football kit is a weight few can carry. Every missed shot or substituted minute was analysed through the lens of legacy.

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His decision in late 2024 to step away from the sport was seen as an act of self-actualisation.