The England women’s football team was met with jubilant crowds upon their return home on Monday, following their Euro 2025 triumph over Spain.
Hundreds of supporters, adorned with flags and England kits, gathered outside Southend Airport, eager to celebrate the victorious squad.
The Lionesses subsequently traveled by coach to Downing Street for a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. The players presented a signed England shirt and enjoyed refreshments in the No. 10 garden.
A celebratory open-top bus parade through central London is scheduled for Tuesday, including a procession along The Mall and a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
England secured their European title defense with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory in the Euro 2025 final against Spain in Basel on Sunday.
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty after two saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, marking the squad as the first English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
Domestically, the match drew a television audience of over 16 million viewers, making it the most-watched television event of the year to date.
The Lionesses arrived in Southend shortly after 15:30 BST aboard a plane emblazoned with the England badge and the word “Home.”
“The Lionesses have brought it home again,” stated Rayner during the No. 10 event. “And what a fantastic feeling that is. Champions of Europe again.”
“You’ve made us all so so proud,” the deputy prime minister added, commending the Lionesses as “a shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football.”
England manager Sarina Wiegman also addressed attendees, remarking that being at Downing Street was “different from standing next to a pitch.”
“I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks,” she quipped. “We made it through and that’s why we’re here now. “The team is just incredible.”
Earlier, captain Leah Williamson, holding the Euro 2025 trophy, led the team off the plane alongside Wiegman.
The entire squad, wearing tracksuits and their winner’s medals, joined them on the tarmac for a team photograph in front of the aircraft.
Approximately an hour later, now dressed in England’s official tailored attire, the players emerged from the terminal and greeted the awaiting crowd of fans as they boarded their coaches.
The Lionesses and their support staff arrived at Downing Street shortly before 19:00 for the celebratory reception.
They posed for another photograph on the steps of No. 10, which were decorated with red-and-white St. George’s flags.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland meeting with US President Donald Trump, conducted a video call with Wiegman and members of the England squad during the reception.
“It’s lovely here,” the England coach could be heard telling Sir Keir during the five-minute call, thanking him for his support throughout the Euros.
The event preceded the announcement of government plans to double the allocated time for women’s and girls’ football teams at government-funded sports facilities.
The government has previously committed £900m to major UK sporting events and grassroots facilities, including £400m for new and upgraded sports facilities over the next four years.
Furthermore, ministers have announced a new taskforce comprising leaders from sport and academia, aimed at replicating the advancements in women’s football across other sports.
King Charles III also conveyed his congratulations to the Lionesses, expressing the Royal Family’s “warmest appreciation and admiration.”
Officials are reportedly exploring plans for a reception at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in the autumn.
When questioned about potential honors for the team, the prime minister’s spokesman emphasized the independent nature of the nominations process.
However, he added, “I hope we’ll see lots of nominations for this incredible winning team.”
Downing Street has dismissed calls for an additional bank holiday following the victory, with the spokesman stating, “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win we’d never go to work.”
Royal Mail, however, has announced plans to commemorate England’s victory with a special postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday.
It reads: “It’s Home. Again. Champions of Europe 2025. England Women’s Football Squad.”