London – Two double-decker buses rolled down the mall as helicopters throbbed above. Thousands of fans caught a glimpse of their hero, who remarked, “It’s incredibly special.”
The first tents were set up at 2 AM for Tuesday’s victory parade, and by 9 AM, the capital was teeming with supporters. This was just over 36 hours after Kelly secured the final penalty shot in a nail-biting victory in Basel, Switzerland. Fans climbed the walls dividing St. James Park and Queen Victoria Memorial for better visibility, creating a sea of admiration for the Lioness. The crowd consisted of young and older supporters, along with those who have just discovered women’s soccer through this historic moment.
After a loss in Sydney, many were eager to welcome back the euro champion who had rematched the 2023 World Cup final, and two words frequently emerged as a reason for the nation’s rekindled passion for the Lioness.
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A young fan from North London expressed how the players are role models to her; her cousin is part of the England Under-17 women’s team. “They never give up,” she said.
Amelie, hailing from Brighton and inspired by the 2022 class, now plays for Withdean Galaxy, which has surged from six to 300 girls. She idolizes Chloe Kelly. In Norwich, a father and daughter duo, Paul and Aura, admire Lucy Bronze. “No one thought they could win after the opening game, yet they proved you should never quit,” said 11-year-old Orla.
Two 18-year-olds from London became die-hard fans of the Lioness after their 2022 Euro victory, rallying behind England and Arsenal for the community spirit.
“In Salina, we trust,” “I want to be a Lioness,” “Bronze = pure gold.”
The celebrations honored England’s chaotic yet exhilarating tournament that culminated in a nail-biting penalty shootout. However, reaching this point was uncertain, as the team had to come from behind in all three knockout games—making Wiegman doubt if her dreams would come true at various moments.
Behind the scenes, the British Football Association (FA) had organized the entire parade in anticipation of the Lioness triumph. They had gleaned valuable lessons from 2022, which prompted a venue change after their victorious hometown match. The decision for a grander stage resulted in the historic backdrop of the Mall and Buckingham Palace for the Lioness reception. Reports suggest preparations had begun during the group stages of Euro 2025, and a frantic call to cancel plans arose during a nail-biting semi-final against Italy, only for Michel Aggieman to equalize in the 96th minute and revive the parade plans.
Players were taken aback when the bus turned onto the Mall; for the first time that day, the sun broke through. Midfielder Georgia Sternway captured the scene with her camera, gazing at a wall of red and white as enthusiastic fans participated, some even bringing along pets or life-size cutouts of their heroes.
2:15
Leah Williamson tears up during the English parade
British captain Leah Williamson struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on the team’s victory at Euro 2025.
As the team reached the stage, organizers welcomed them with music from the Royal Marines Portsmouth band. Fans were already enjoying a performance by singer Katie B.
“I’ve been in tears the whole way down the mall; this is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she shared. “2022 felt like a fairy tale, but we are incredibly proud of ourselves, and we hope you are too.”
“Our message is clear: what we do is for us, our country, and young girls everywhere. We are making history with every step, so please stay with us.”
Friends and family were in attendance, alongside notable figures such as British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, YouTube star Amelia Dimoldenberg, and Lioness legend Karen Carney. According to the FA, around 65,000 fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace, and it was now Wiegman’s turn to soak in the adulation on stage.
1:58
Burna Boy surprises Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses
The Lioness coach Sarina Wiegman was astounded by a surprise performance from Burna Boy at the homecoming parade.
Wiegman celebrated the team’s “talent” and acknowledged the “chaos” over the past five weeks, as the moment was shared with dedicated Lioness fans. A shocked smile lit up Wiegman’s face as she embraced the surprise performance, having previously declared Burna Boy as her favorite artist during a press conference two years prior. Joining him on stage for a duet, she sang along enthusiastically while encouraging the crowd to join in.
Wiegman is known for her calm demeanor and rarely displays strong emotions. However, after winning three consecutive euros, she promised to “dance a little more.” Midfielder Keira Walsh noted that the Dutch coach would be more celebratory than during her initial tenure in 2021, and this was the first occasion many had witnessed this side of their manager.
The 55-year-old shone as goalkeeper Chiara Keating took the stage, leading her teammates in a “tequila” chant, transforming their famous song to “Salina.” This anthem has become synonymous with Swiss fans, allowing everyone to extend their appreciation to one of the best coaches in English football history. “Thank you because it’s always in my head,” she joked.
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“Pressure? What pressure?” – Chloe Kelly shares her thoughts on the Women’s Euro victory.
Chloe Kelly speaks at the English Trophy Parade for the women’s Euro triumph.
Afterward, Kelly chimed in amidst her teammates’ laughter from Wiegman’s dance, asking, “Pressure? What pressure?”
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton addressed the crowd, declaring, “Don’t let anyone dictate your potential. I’ve been told countless times that I wasn’t good enough.”
Feeling overwhelmed, Aggieman—the two-time savior for Swiss Britain—expressed gratitude to everyone, particularly her family, before turning to speak to the team.
Bronze, despite celebrating for two days and navigating a broken tibia throughout the tournament, remained surprisingly composed, stating she doesn’t plan to retire soon. With 140 caps, she is tied with Alex Scott, who introduced the event. Sporting a headscarf and sunglasses, she received the loudest cheers and admitted, “This moment is unbelievable.”
Ella Toone shared that her new favorite anthem in the locker room is Heather Small’s “Pride.” Naturally, the FA arranged an impressive performance by the English singer.
Toone, who had been leading many songs throughout the celebrations, was joined by Esme Morgan, readying to sing their hearts out. Small was initially reluctant to share the spotlight, but the duo created a captivating backup performance. Their expressions conveyed that this was one of their proudest moments, if not the peak of their careers.
Once the festivities ended, Williamson seized her last chance to lift the trophy, and the skies filled with smoke. They took it home once more.
The players remained on stage while fans continued to gather into the afternoon. Williamson urged the supporters not to stray, emphasizing that their journey is far from over. With the Brazil World Cup approaching in 2027, a security guard smilingly remarked, “See you in two years.”
Fan Take: This victory not only showcases the incredible talent and resilience of the Lionesses but also serves as a pivotal moment for women’s soccer, inspiring future generations. It underscores the growing recognition and support for the women’s game, which could lead to greater investment and opportunities in the sport.