Beckhams' matching tattoos mark vows

LONDON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Soccer player David Beckham and his pop singer wife Victoria kept the renewal of their wedding vows in Britain a secret for nearly two years.

The celebrity couple memorialized their renewed vows with tattoos symbolizing the event's date, March 8, 2006, in Roman numerals, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

One friend said the marital ceremony was a very simple, yet touching, affair organized by the 32-year-old soccer player.

"We were in tears," the unidentified friend said. "It was beautiful and very non-showbiz."

Details were released to the media only recently as part of a lucrative magazine deal, the Daily Mail said.

David and Victoria were initially wed at an Irish castle July 4, 1999.

The ceremony and the couple's matching tattoos reading "VIII.V.MMVI" came prior to the couple's new start in the United States, where they relocated to in order to allow him to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.