Public fascination with Brooklyn Beckham's relationship has taken a darker turn in recent months, with online speculation increasingly framing him as "controlled" or emotionally trapped in his marriage.

While he has spoken out and strongly denied this, saying in a statement "this narrative is completely backwards", wider questions about power in families shaped by extreme wealth, fame, and scrutiny have been raised.

Brooklyn, 26, has grown up entirely in the public eye as the eldest child of David and Victoria Beckham - being plastered over magazines at a young age and having his life played out on social media. His marriage to Nicola Peltz, 31, herself from a powerful and wealthy family, has caused friction between him and his family, with Brooklyn now completely cutting ties.

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But experts say the situation reflects patterns that are far more common than some might think. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott explains that Brooklyn's attraction to a strong partner mirrors his upbringing.

"Brooklyn's mother is a powerful successful woman and it's hardly a surprise he was attracted to a powerful successful woman as his wife. It's also hardly a surprise that these two powerful women would both have a falling out."

But some have been left concerned over Brooklyn's relationship to the child of a billionaire. He recently changed his Instagram profile photo to one showing a tattoo of his wife Nicola Peltz's eyes on the back of his neck.

According to The Sun, Brooklyn signed a rigid pre-nuptial agreement ahead of their 2022 wedding, and will not gain any of her family wealth if they split. Nicola's businessman father Nelson is believed to be worth a significant £1.2billion.

A source close to David and ­Victoria said: "The fear is that he has been completely absorbed into the Peltzes and has become ­alienated from everyone else. If they ever did break up, Brooklyn would be completely ostracised and without much cash to show for it."

Noel notes that Brooklyn's position as the Beckhams' first child may also be significant. "Brooklyn is his mother's first child and all parents are more anxious about their first born. It's also not surprising that his father would stick with his wife."

He adds that most families eventually adapt to shifts in loyalty after marriage - though doing so under global scrutiny is far more complex. "Most mums do cope eventually with the loss of their son after marriage and in fact most work to ensure it's not an issue."

What sets the Beckham-Peltz dynamic apart, Noel argues, is the shared experience of being raised within tightly controlled environments.

"The world that the Beckhams and Peltzes come from are defined by being very protected and also being used to getting your own way. Both children would have been closely controlled the whole of their lives by their parents."

That control, he says, is not necessarily malicious. Security concerns, brand management, and gatekeeping are standard features of elite families but they can complicate adulthood.

"In Brooklyn's case he has made the point that his family commodified him as part of their business model and he has reasonable complaints about that."

Noel stresses that living publicly is also how Brooklyn and Nicola earn a living, but that visibility comes at a psychological cost.

"Living in the spotlight is how they earn money, but it also comes with a cost psychologically in that everything they do is significantly amplified. So the drama of what is a pretty common dynamic is emphasised and indeed monetised."

Another recurring theme in public commentary is Brooklyn's perceived immaturity - something Noel says reflects lifestyle rather than personality.

"The psychological impact of super wealth and status are to some extent delay or avoid the life tests that most of us go through as we mature… It's not a new personality type, but it is one that was in the past not seen."

Psychotherapist Susie Masterson believes much of the concern centres on questions of control and consent. "The key theme that shows up in all the coverage of the Beckham/Peltz partnership is control."

She points to language and symbolism that has fuelled public unease.

"From the pet names such as 'baby' and 'boy', to the claims that Nicola likes to feel possessed and protected, there is a vibe of co-dependence and parentification between the couple."

Some sources have called Nicola "childlike" in the past. Brooklyn always calls Nicola 'baby' or 'babygirl', while her 31st birthday party in January was ballerina themed with a doll in a tutu on top of her cake.

One source told the Daily Mail: "Nicola is someone who has grown up with so much wealth and power. If you have grown up like that, your whole view of life and other people is so warped. Everyone is your plaything and if something or someone displeases you, it's got rid of."

Susie says Brooklyn's reported decision to distance himself from his family reflects deeper issues around growing up in a power house family.

"Much of Beckham's backstory is based on allegations of authenticity regarding his parents, together with a lack of consent to his being part of this setup." She adds that this is not unique to famous families.

"The rise of the 'no contact' movement is not just limited to famous families... lots of adult children are emancipating themselves from one or both parents."

However, Susie cautions against viewing estrangement as a clean victory.

"For sure, we might get a short term feeling of satisfaction when we put a boundary in place or cut someone off. But ultimately, it ends up making us feel isolated."

Having worked extensively with estranged families, she emphasises the emotional cost on all sides.

"It can be incredibly moving to witness the grief and loss that this causes... It's important to remember that despite their profile, this isn’t a Netflix drama, these are real people."

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