Despite the achievements that Sir David Beckham has racked up during his distinguished career, there is one that still eludes him: the ability to be in two places at once. Particularly when the places in question are 866 miles apart.

But as Beckham knows only too well, if you want to stay at the top of your game, sacrifices must be made. 

Which is why he found himself missing the first night of youngest son Cruz’s debut solo tour, in Birmingham, to be in Milan for the Boss show.

A long-standing ambassador for Boss, Beckham’s contract probably dictated that he swap the mosh pit for Milan fashion week, which is in full swing. 

Among those showing their autumn/winter 2026/27 collections on Thursday were Max Mara, Roberto Cavalli and Emporio Armani.

Aside from the sight of David Beckham in a dapper grey Boss suit, the biggest draw of the day was the Prada show. 

Judging by the paucity of models – 15 were charged with wearing 61 looks – you’d never guess that Prada is outperforming most of its peers with buoyant sales.

Maybe designer Miuccia Prada blew all of her budget on Bella Hadid, who was making her debut catwalk appearance for the revered Italian house. 

David Beckham had to miss the first night of youngest son Cruz’s debut solo tour in Birmingham to be in Milan for the Boss fashion show instead. Pictured: Beckham at the event on Thursday 

Cruz’s The Time For Your Love tour opened at Mama Roux’s on Thursday (pictured)

Also at Milan Fashion Week were Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan (both pictured), looking like fish out of water

Although the US supermodel certainly had to work for her money, changing backstage several times to appear in four different looks.

If Hadid was an unexpected face on the catwalk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was an unexpected face on the front row, where he looked like a fish out of water next to wife Priscilla Chan. 

Other guests included actress Carey Mulligan, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and, fresh from the Winter Olympics, skier and gold medallist Eileen Gu.

Actress Sarah Pidgeon, starring as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the docudrama Love Story, also made her front-row Milan debut, dressed in a plunging beige top and fringed skirt.