England's Lionesses set for London parade and royal celebration
Princess Charlotte's beaming smile and jubilant celebrations perfectly captured the nation's mood last night as England's Lionesses sealed a dramatic victory over Spain to win back-to-back European titles. The champions are set to be honoured today with a Downing Street reception followed by a victory parade through London tomorrow. After 120 tense minutes against reigning World Cup holders Spain, and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, Sarina Wiegman's side emerged victorious once again - cementing their place in footballing history and sparking jubilant scenes across the country.
Earlier in the evening, fans draped in St George's flags watched with bated breath alongside the Prince of Wales and Princess Charlotte (pictured) in Basel, Switzerland — all seen holding their heads in their hands as Spain took the lead just before half-time. But the Lionesses roared back in the second half, with Arsenal striker Alessia Russo heading home a brilliant equaliser in the 57th minute, sending millions back home into raptures. With the score still tied after extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout — where goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two huge saves before Chloe Kelly, once again, became the hero of the hour, calmly dispatching the decisive spot-kick to seal a 3-1 shootout win.
Now, the Football Association has confirmed the victorious squad will celebrate in style with a victory parade on an open-top bus through central London on July 29, culminating at The Mall. It is understood a royal reception with Prince William and King Charles is also being planned to honour the team's incredible achievement. Fans can attend for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. Sadly, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. After the match Prince William and Charlotte penned a personal note to the team, marking the first time the Princess has ever signed off an official message.
It said : 'What a game! @lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment @England. W & Charlotte.' Fans across the country were pictured standing on tables, waving flags, throwing drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland. Speaking after the match Chloe Kelly gushed that she was 'so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge' and 'so proud to be English'. William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him - including his daughter Princess Charlotte.
As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament. William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win - posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses - what a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.'
Followed quickly by a message from King Charles to offer the team with his most 'heartfelt congratulations'. It read: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the EUROS 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!'
William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales 's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. He was also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.'
Defender Lucy Bronze shocked fans by revealing she played the entire Women's Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia — an injury she had kept secret until after the final. The 33-year-old was taken off at half-time in extra time during Sunday's final, which ended 1-1 before England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties in Basel. But when asked about the new knee injury she picked up during the game, Bronze casually disclosed that she had already been playing through far worse. 'I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia,' she told BBC Sport. 'And then I have hurt my knee on my other leg. That's why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I've been in a lot of pain. If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do. Very painful.'
The previously undisclosed injury sparked an outpouring of disbelief and admiration across social media on Sunday night. Joe Bunney uploaded a post to social media today which he captioned 'Big day ahead. Redemption time. Come on girls' in reference to the team's nailbiting loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final. In a post uploaded to X this morning the Royal Family shared a clip of guardsmen performing the iconic England anthem 'It's coming home' outside Buckingham Palace.
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The ground was tacky on the July course but he went through it nicely and is open to improvement. In-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has a good record here and can go close again. Montpellier won a couple of maidens and ran well at Salisbury on handicap debut last time. There's more to come with this step up in distance a wise move. Consolidation was snookered by the draw at Royal Ascot but won over this course and distance two starts ago. It's early days and there should be a lot more to come. Mudbir is bred to be classy and scored on handicap debut at Sandown 28 days ago. He should progress from there from the Gosdens and looks a big player. Rare Change was hampered at Newcastle last time after winning at Pontefract. He likes this trip and has place claims. Yah Mo Be There ran well in the Jersey Stakes from a moderate draw and is another danger. NEWMARKET 2.10 SAYIDAH HARD SPUN has won two of her past three runs and saw out this trip well when scoring at Ascot last time. The handicapper has been fair with a 3lb rise in the weights and she can take another step forward. Awaafi was a promising second at Haydock last time. She shapes as though seven furlongs would be ideal but her stamina could be an asset here. Azleet enjoyed the all-weather when scoring over this distance at Southwell 20 three weeks ago. Her opening handicap mark of 76 looks on the lenient side and there should be more to come. Ruby's Angel is another making her handicap debut and was a place behind Awaafi last time. Despite that she carries 1lb more which seems a little strange but she's not out of this. Meelaf completes the field for in-form Karl Burke and has run well at Group 3 level so is no mug in this wide-open contest. Her mark is not the kindest and she might have less scope than a few of these now but she's quick. 3.20 MERIBELLA had some traffic problems in a Pontefract Listed race last time so did well to finish third. 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