The Lionesses have returned to England to a hero's welcome after their dramatic Euro 2025 victory against Spain. After successfully defending their title in a penalty shootout in Basel, Switzerland, the team landed at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon to be greeted by jubilant fans.
Many supporters, eager to celebrate the team's historic win, wore England kits and waved flags. Cheers erupted as the Lionesses' plane approached the runway and again as the players emerged from the airport, walking along a red carpet and waving to the fans. Leah Williamson, the team's captain, led the squad out of the private terminal carrying the European Championship trophy.
Young fans like Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, waited with signs hoping to get a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy expressed her pride in the team, noting their hard work and resilience in overcoming injuries and setbacks. Daisy admitted to being nervous during the penalty shootout but overjoyed with the victory.
The Lionesses shared a photo on X of the Euro trophy draped in an England flag on their plane. Following their arrival, the team attended a celebratory reception at Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock. St George's flags and bunting decorated Number 10 for the occasion. One fan outside Downing Street said the moment brought tears of joy, reflecting on how far the game has grown since her childhood.
Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, addressed the reception, expressing relief and humorously apologizing for causing England supporters "lots of heart attacks" during the competition. She lauded the team as incredible, stating that reaching the final had already made them "legendary". Wiegman noted the surreal feeling of their achievement.
King Charles III conveyed the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" to the Lionesses and wished them luck in bringing home the World Cup in 2027. Prince William and Princess Charlotte also joined in the congratulations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the Lionesses' victory as a remarkable sporting achievement and an inspiration to young people. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister jokingly suggested that a bank holiday for every Lionesses win would be impractical, given their continued success.
To celebrate the win, the Royal Mail will use a congratulatory postmark on stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday. A peak live audience of 12.2 million watched the game on BBC platforms, making it the most-watched television moment of 2025 across all TV broadcasters.
The celebrations continue with an open-top bus procession along The Mall on Tuesday, followed by a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The event will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. The Football Association is hosting the event with support from the UK Government.
The Lionesses' Euro 2025 victory marks their second consecutive UEFA Women's Euro title. Their success has had a significant impact on women's football, with a previous study showing a 140% increase in participation levels after Euro 2022. The Lionesses' legacy is one of excellence, resilience, and inspiring future generations.
