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.
Now the champions are set to be honoured with a royal reception and a victory parade through London.
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 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.
Princess Charlotte celebrates during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain
The Lionesses have roared to victory in a nailbiting penalty shootout that saw them triumph over Spain
Prince William and Princess Charlotte watch on as the Lionesses celebrate their victory over Spain
Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang of England celebrate with the UEFA Women’s EURO trophy while laying in ticker tape
HRH Prince William, Prince Of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales look disappointed and dejected after Spain go 1-0 ahead
ngland’s Michelle Agyemang with Britain’s Prince William during the trophy ceremony
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.’
Georgia Stanway of England poses for a photo with her medal after winning the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Final
Esme Morgan, Grace Clinton, Maya Le Tissier, Aggie Beever-Jones and Anna Moorhouse of England celebrate after winning
England’s Niamh Charles, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Khiara Keating celebrate after winning
England supporters celebrate during the penalty shootout
England supporters celebrate during a live screening of the Women’s Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at the Boxpark in Croydon
Hannah Hampton of England saves the second penalty from Mariona Caldentey of Spain
England fan celebrates winning the penalty shootout
England’s Grace Clinton and Alessia Russo celebrate after winning
William, Prince of Wales celebrates with Leah Williamson
England fans react tp penalty shoot out during a screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final match between England and Spain
Joy for England fans as Alessia Russo heads home to make the score 1-1
Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo of England celebrate after the teams victory in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Final
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’.
Fans of the Lionesses appeared confident as they started dancing and cheering as the match went into extra time
England’s Hannah Hampton shakes hands with Prince William
The Prince of Wales (centre left) and Princess Charlotte react as Spain’s Mariona Caldentey scores their side’s first goal
Charlotte has been pictured this afternoon standing close to her father in a sweet blue polka dot dress
England’s Alessia Russo (centre) celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game with Chloe Kelly
Sir Keir Starmer is seen in attendance with his wife Victoria Starmer
Princess Charlotte of Wales during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Final match
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.’
It comes as the boyfriend of England star Ella Toone backed the Lionesses today ahead of their big game tonight where the squad will seek ‘redemption’ in the Women’s Euro Final.
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.
England fans show the strain at Newcastle’s St. James’ STACK as they watch the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
England fans react as they watch a live broadcast of the Women’s Euro final
England fans during a screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final match between England and Spain
The big screen showing the record overall tournament attendance figure during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 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.
The accompanying caption read: ‘Let’s go girls!! Wishing the very best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women’s Euro Final this evening.’
Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows.
Number 10 said: ‘Good luck today, Lionesses. Let’s bring it home.’
