As the Queen patted him on the head, the final whistle blew and a prize Hereford bull was renamed Beckham.

It seemed blissfully unaware of England's 1-0 win over Argentina, or indeed the presence of the Queen.

Her Majesty met the animal at the South of England Show yesterday and he was renamed in tribute to England's World Cup goalscorer.

He was unfazed by the loud cheer which went up in the cowshed at the show in Ardingly as news of the result spread.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen, who was visiting the show, was thrilled with the result.

Pam Noel, owner of Beckham the bull, whose real name is Sarabande Ferrari, was highly amused by the three-year-old's new title.

She said: "We don't know if he's like Beckham really. He has not broken his foot, he does not really kick much either and he has not got the same haircut - yet.

"I don't mind him being called Beckham, although his real nickname is Fairy because of his gentle nature but I do wish he earned the same amount of money."

Mrs Noel, who runs a small farm near Reading, said she had supported England and listened to the first half of the match before the Queen came round.

The 69-year-old, who has been coming to the show for many years, began breeding Hereford cattle in 1971.

She said: "We usually have a very successful show. We love it here and we missed it last year."

No show was held last year because of the foot-and-mouth crisis but organisers hoped the Queen's visit would boost figures.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent almost four hours touring the site and talking to visitors.

They enjoyed a horse display and a dance and music extravaganza in the main arena before leaving by horse-drawn carriage.