Lionesses welcomed home by jubilant fans after Euro 2025 win

Following their Euro 2025 victory over Spain, the England women’s football team was met by enthralling crowds on their return home on Monday.

As the squad’s plane touched down shortly after 15:30 BST, hundreds of fans gathered outside Southend Airport wearing England flags and gear.

The Lionesses then traveled by coach to Downing Street to attend Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s reception. The players had a signed England shirt for them to enjoy in No 10’s garden with canapes and drinks.

In the Euro 2025 final on Sunday in Basel, England won 3-1 on penalties to defend their European title.

Following two saves from Hannah Hampton’s goalkeeper, Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot kick, helping the squad become the first English team to win a major tournament on international soil.

The most watched television moment of the year so far was when more than 16 million people watched the game live on television.

The Lionesses boarded an aircraft with an England badge and the word “Home” on its side and arrived at Southend Airport.

Before the reception, Rayner declared, “Our Lionesses are absolute champions, and they proved that again last night.”

Leah Williamson, the captain of the Euro 2025 team, walked down the flight’s stairs to join head coach Sarina Wiegman as the first person to leave the aircraft.

The entire squad posed for a photo in front of the aircraft before heading down the tarmac, wearing tracksuits and their winning medal.

The players then walked to their coaches in front of a crowd of fans about an hour later, now dressed in England’s official tailored clothing line.

Williamson passed the supporters while passing the trophy once more.

Just before 19:00, the Lionesses and their support staff made the reception at Downing Street.

On the steps of No 10, which were decorated with red-and-white St. George’s flags, they posed for a second photo.

The Lionesses received the Royal Family’s “warmest appreciation and admiration,” according to King Charles III, who also paid tribute. “The next task is to bring the World Cup home in 2027 if you can.

Officials are reportedly looking into having a reception at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace in the fall.

The prime minister’s spokesman stressed that nominations were subject to an independent process, even when questioned about calls for the team to be honored with honors.

Following the victory, Downing Street also refrained from calling for an additional bank holiday, with a spokesman saying, “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, we would never go to work.”

Calls for a bank holiday following a significant football success are not new, but none were made after the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022 and the England men’s team won the World Cup in 1966. Due to the negative effects they have on economic output, governments have been reluctant to take additional public holidays.

However, the Royal Mail has made it known that a special postmark will be applied to all UK stamped mail from Monday through Friday to honor England’s victory.