Sir David Beckham has applied to trademark a white shrub rose created for his 50th birthday by his daughter Harper, moving to secure the legal and commercial rights to the plant.
DB Ventures, the commercial management firm handling the former England football captain's business interests, submitted the official application to the Intellectual Property Office earlier this month. The trademark registration aims to ensure no competing business can copy the shrub rose and that it can continue to be sold across the United Kingdom.
The fragrant white bloom, officially named the Sir David Beckham Rose, was devised by 15-year-old Harper Beckham as "something enduring" to celebrate her father's landmark birthday in May last year.
Luxury flower breeders David Austin Roses, based in Albrighton, Shropshire, developed the white rose at Harper's request. The nursery is widely known for creating classic English rose varieties that combine traditional fragrance with modern garden performance.
The plant was officially unveiled to the public at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in London in May. King Charles III was among the visitors pictured smelling the new bloom at the event before it went on general sale at garden centres nationwide.
Support for the King's Foundation charity
Sir David, who serves as an ambassador for the King's Foundation charity, licenses the rose to be sold by the Shropshire grower through DB Ventures.
The shrub rose retails at £38.50, with £2.50 from every sale donated directly to the charity. The foundation was established by the then Prince Charles in 1990 and focuses on education programmes and the preservation of traditional arts and crafts.
An insider told The Mail on Sunday that applying for a trademark is part of the official process to protect the plant. The source said the registration ensures the rose can be licensed and sold without legal complications, earning as much revenue as possible for the King's Foundation.
When introducing the flower at Chelsea, Sir David praised the heritage of English gardening. He said: "Gardening brings people together across generations and gives so much pleasure. To be part of something that celebrates that, and the heritage of the English rose, feels very meaningful to me."
Protection against counterfeit goods
Trademarking the shrub rose also provides DB Ventures with explicit legal authority to take enforcement action against any unauthorized third party that attempts to replicate or counterfeit the named plant.
The move follows an established pattern for the Beckham family, often referred to as Brand Beckham. David and Victoria Beckham have previously registered trademarks for their own names as well as those of their four children.
Sir David has previously pursued strict legal measures to protect his intellectual property rights. Last year, he won a major US lawsuit against hundreds of Chinese counterfeiters, securing a permanent ban against online sellers offering fake David Beckham products on platforms including Amazon, eBay, Etsy and Temu.
Characteristics of the Beckham rose
The official David Austin Roses website describes the Sir David Beckham Rose as "an upright, strong shrub with an open, balanced habit."
The Shropshire rose breeder notes that the plant produces medium sized blooms that are deeply cupped. According to the description, the outer petals are gently upturned, opening from a soft white with a hint of yellow to a clear, fresh white.
