Lionesses celebrating with fans in London, starting with open-top bus parade

BBC News

4 days ago

Update:
Date: 11:47 BST
Title: 'This is going to be the best day ever!'
Content: Yasmin RufoCulture reporter
I'm travelling down from Cheltenham with a group of football obsessed girls who have been chanting Sweet Caroline since about 6am!
Freya, Bella, Anna, Tabitha and Eva all play for the under 10s Gotherington Jaguars and are buzzing to cheer on their heroes.
Wrapped in England flags, the girls say they can't wait to meet their inspirations.
'This is going to be the best day ever,' they cheer. 'We really REALLY can't wait to get to the parade.'
Update:
Date: 11:44 BST
Title: 'One big party'
Content: Mike WilliamsBBC Radio 4 Today programme outside Buckingham Palace
Only sport has this power to bring the country together at key moments. I'm reminded of the scenes just down the road three years ago. This parade is slightly different from England's last Euros triumph. Then there was a big party in Trafalgar Square.
Today is going to be a big national moment. Once the open-top bus is outside Buckingham Palace there will be a presentation.
We will see the trophy lifted by Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson and it will be one big party stretching into the afternoon.
Update:
Date: 11:42 BST
Title: Get Involved: Lara ready to celebrate in Shropshire
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
If only the parade could have taken place on the weekend! Oh well, I'll stand by my flag on my gate in Shropshire watching it. Brilliant to see so many people there already! It shows that EVERYBODY watches women's sport, no matter what the bots and trolls on the internet tell us.
Lara
Update:
Date: 11:40 BST
Title: 'It's inspirational, it's England & it's football'
Content: Vicki SparksBBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Buckingham Palace
I've got a beautiful view of the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace, but all I can see to my left is crowds in The Mall. We can just see the tips of so many England hats and flags.
There is a little girl of colour holding up a banner that says 'Future, next Jess Carter' with an arrow pointing to herself - and that is the inspiration these Lionesses have given to so many young girls and boys.
It is inspirational, it is England and it is football.
Update:
Date: 11:36 BST
Title: Get Involved: Lois ready to wag for the Lionesses
Content: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Lois, our border terrier, is waiting very patiently for the Lionesses on The Mall.
Lana
Update:
Date: 11:34 BST
Title: 'Queens of Europe in front of Buckingham Palace'
Content: What a setting!
It feels fitting that the Queens of Europe will celebrate in front of Buckingham Palace.
The Lionesses will appear on a stage which has a giant sign which reads 'European Champions' against a red backdrop with the England badge below it.
Update:
Date: 11:32 BST
Title: 'In Captain Leah We Trust'
Content: England
Another sign spotted in the crowd....'In Captain Leah We Trust'.
A reminder, the open-top bus parade is due to start at 12:10 BST.
A ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace is scheduled to begin at 12:30 BST.
Update:
Date: 11:29 BST
Title: 'Never done before'
Content: Chris SleggBBC London sports journalist
These England fans in the capital are doing something never done before - welcoming a senior team home from an overseas tournament as champions.
England men have been competing in major finals since 1950 and England women since 1984. After a 75-year wait, and at the 37th time of asking, a team has returned to these shores with the trophy.
This celebration in the capital truly is a homecoming for the five members of the squad who were all born and raised in London boroughs: Chloe Kelly, Michelle Agyemang, Lauren James, Aggie Beever-Jones and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Kelly and Agyemang were of course among England's most impactful players while James scored a brace in the crucial group win over Netherlands and Beever-Jones was on target against Wales.
Update:
Date: 11:27 BST
Title: 'Football came home'
Content:
Update:
Date: 11:25 BST
Title: GET INVOLVED
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
It's a day of celebration as the triumphant Lionesses show off the Euro 2025 trophy in front of the nation.
How have Sarina Wiegman's team inspired you? Will their success in Switzerland help take the women's game in this country to a new level? And do let us know how you are following events in London this lunchtime? Have you made your way down to the capital - or are you following from work or at home?
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Update:
Date: 11:23 BST
Title: WATCH: Latest pictures from the parade
Content: This video can not be played
Lionesses parade: What to expect today
Crowds are starting to gather as the Lionesses prepare for an open-top bus parade along The Mall in central London.
Update:
Date: 11:20 BST
Title: Reports of up to 50,000 lining The Mall
Content: According to reports, up to 50,000 Lionesses fans are expected to line The Mall. There's already a carnival atmosphere with supporters - young and old - dressed top to toe in England colours.
Update:
Date: 11:16 BST
Title: Watch, listen and follow the celebrations on BBC
Content: As well as live text, there is a special programme on BBC One from 12:00 BST as the European champions celebrate their victory in front of fans in the heart of London.
You can also watch on the iPlayer and at the top of this page.
Naga Munchetty is presenting her BBC Radio 5 Live show live on The Mall right now which is also available to listen to on BBC Sounds.
Update:
Date: 11:11 BST
Title: 'Fans all over the country to greet Lionesses'
Content: Mike WilliamsBBC Radio 4 Today programme outside Buckingham Palace
There's been some hardy souls who have been here all night. I spoke to someone who arrived at 12.30am, and people have come from all over the country - Exeter, Newmarket, Gloucester, Birmingham.
They have made their way by planes, trains and automobiles to be here outside Buckingham Palace for the big homecoming parade.
Update:
Date: 11:07 BST
Title: Ready to celebrate
Content: England
Thousands of England fans have already started to gather on The Mall. They're wearing cowboy hats, bucket hats and waving flags. A cardboard cutout of captain Leah Williamson has also been spotted in the crowd.
Update:
Date: 11:04 BST
Title: Where will Lionesses' parade take place?
Content: A procession along The Mall will begin at 12:10 BST before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
The ceremony will be hosted by former England defender Alex Scott, capped 140 times by her country.
It is expected to start at approximately 12:30 BST and end around 13:00.
Music will be provided by the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force bands, and highlights from England's games at Euro 2025 will be shown on big screens.
Update:
Date: 10:59 BST
Title: London to celebrate Lionesses
Content: It's coming home, it's coming home...
The Lionesses have returned from Switzerland with the Euro 2025 trophy following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain in the final on Sunday.
After a Downing Street reception on Monday, it's time for Sarina Wiegman and her triumphant players to celebrate with an open-top bus parade in central London followed by a party in front of Buckingham Palace.
Thousands of jubilant fans have arrived in the capital to cheer the Queens of Europe.
Stay with us for full coverage of the homecoming parade.
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England beat Spain on penalties to win Euro 2025
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England land home from Switzerland after Euro 2025 triumph
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