Speculation about tension within the Beckham family simmered throughout April and intensified in early May when the eldest son Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola, returned to the U.K. but were noticeably absent from all celebrations for David’s 50th birthday.

According to The Sunfans recently revisited a seemingly playful Instagram exchange from April 7 that may have included subtle digs at Nicola. On that day, Romeo shared photos from a trip with his girlfriend Kim Turnbull, brother Cruz and Cruz’s girlfriend. In the comments, Cruz replied, “So beautiful Romeo,” with a sparkling emoji. Romeo responded with three crying with laughter emojis.

Fans quickly pointed out the resemblance to a comment Nicola had posted just two days earlier, in which she praised Romeo’s ex-girlfriend Mia Regan with the exact phrase “So beautiful Mia” and similar emojis.

One follower commented under Romeo’s post: “Cruz why did you copy Nicola’s comment to Mia?”, while another called the brothers “childish.”

Neither Nicola nor Romeo and Cruz have responded to media requests for comment.

The same Instagram post also stirred further controversy when Cruz responded to a follower who commented: “Dating your brother’s ex is also appropriate, great,” by confirming that Brooklyn and Kim have never dated. At the time, rumors were circulating that Brooklyn and Romeo had fallen out over Kim, who is now dating Romeo but was briefly linked to Brooklyn in the past.

Brooklyn’s absence from both the grand birthday parties and private family fishing and camping trips added fuel to the speculation, Page Six reported. Some sources claimed that Brooklyn and Nicola requested a private meeting to wish David a happy birthday, but were declined. Others alleged Nicola had used her discomfort around Kim as a reason to keep her husband away from his family.

David celebrated his 50th birthday with his wife Victoria and their three remaining children, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, 13. The football icon even sent Brooklyn a heartfelt message, writing “you were missed” under a photo of him with Cruz and Romeo on a fishing trip.

Romeo, 22, is a former footballer with unsuccessful spells at Inter Miami and Brentford B, while Cruz, 20, is gearing up for his music career.

Nicola, 30, is an actress and the daughter of billionaire Nelson Peltz. She got engaged to Brooklyn, 26, in 2020 and married in 2022.