“SO STUNNINGLY SPECIAL!” – Chloe Kelly Staggered by the Sight as Seas of Fans Lined the Streets for a Triumphant Victory Parade Following the Lionesses

The Daily Mail’s Women’s Football Reporter Tara Anson-Walsh was among the thousands who attended the Lionesses victory party in the capital.

Here’s her reaction after watching the celebrations unfold:

The Lionesses have been drinking ever since Chloe Kelly’s penalty kick went in the back of the net, but they still managed to bring so much energy to that.

Chloe Kelly’s potty-mouth moment on the stage – ‘It’s so f****** special!’ drew rounds of applause and laughter from the crowd.

But I think the real highlight was Sarina Wiegman’s reaction to Burna Boy’s appearance – and then proceeding to dance and sing the entire way through the song.

More pictures here showing just how many people packed into The Mall for the Lionesses victory parade.

Two buses carring Sarina Wiegman’s squad and backroom staff took the team towards Buckingham Palace where they thanked the country for their support during the European Championships.

We’ll continue to bring you reaction and updates throughout the afternoon.

The Lionesses have enjoyed a heroes’ welcome on The Mall after bringing football home to England for the second time in a row as European champions.

The squad was greeted by a thousands-strong crowd from atop a bus emblazoned with the slogan ‘2022 and 2025 European Champions’, which is set to cruise down the thoroughfare at the heart of London just after 12pm.

Rapid preparations had been made for the ceremony after Sarina Wiegman’s team thumped Spain 3-1 on penalties following a tense and drawn-out 120 minutes of stalemate football in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday.

The Lionesses turned out in t-shirts that read ‘HOME’, with the ‘H’ stylised as a pair of letter ‘I’s in recognition of their two European titles on the trot, and red scarves bearing the Three Lions and the word ‘CHAMPIONS’.

Kerry Davis – the first Black women’s footballer to play for England – then brought out the Euro 2025 trophy alongside Jane Oboavwoduo, a 14-year-old forward in the England Under-17s, before the team hoisted it aloft in a flurry of red smoke to the cheers of thousands.

Read more here:

The Lionesses have enjoyed another msuical performance as Heather Small is introduced and sings Proud.

The stage has now been set for Leah Williamson to lift the trophy once again as celebrations reach fever pitch in the capital.

Red fireworks were set off around the Queen Victoria Memorial as Williamson lifts the European Championships trophy.

The squad then turned around to pose for a photo with thousands of fans gathered behind them on The Mall as Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline played over the speakers.

This is the moment Chloe Kelly swore during her victory speech as Lioness players addressed crowds at their homecoming celebrations.

Chloe Kelly has just sworn live on television after telling crowds England’s support throughout the tournament was ‘so f****** special’.

The forward told host Alex Scott:

(It is) so good to stand side by side with every single one of these girls throughout the whole tournament, and the staff that you don’t see behind the scenes. It’s incredible.

Thank you to everyone that got out to support us, whether that’s in Switzerland or here today. It’s so f****** special.

Scott immediately apologised to the crowd for the language.

England manager Sarina Wiegman has been surprised with a special performance by her favourite artist Burna Boy.

The Nigerian singer songwriter embraced England’s most successful manager before they danced in front of crowds.

Before he was introduced, Wiegman joked about her team leaving it late before winning on penalties .

I hoped for a little less chaos but they didn’t keep their promise to finish things quicker. They showed up when it was necessary.

A visibly emotional Leah Williamson has told crowds how she cried all the way down The Mall.

The England captain is the first player to speak after the players take to the stage outside Buckingham Palace.

She told the crowd:

I’m in the trenches, I’m holding back tears. I’ve been crying all the way down The Mall.

Here’s some footage we can show you from the victory parade including how the Lionesses kicked off celebrations on the bus before reaching The Mall.

Here are more pictures of the Lionesses on the open-top bus during the procession towards Buckingham Palace.

There are scenes of jubilation along The Mall as the players received rapturous applause from the tens of thousands of supporters in the capital.

The band has so far played Football’s Coming Home and Freed From Desire which has pleased the crowd no doubt.

As the Lionesses captain, Leah Williamson is becoming adept at lifting trophies.

Here she is holding the Euros trophy aloft as the open-top bus makes it away along The Mall.

Sat next to Georgia Stanway, Williamson has kept a firm grip on the prize since the team arrived back in the UK.

Lioness Alessia Russo said she was ‘on cloud nine’ and described the team’s celebrations on The Mall as ‘a bit surreal’.

Asked by BBC News how she was feeling on the open-top bus heading down the Mall, she said:

Tired, but on cloud nine. I mean, this is just unreal.

We didn’t really know what to expect coming into it today, but everyone was so excited on the bus, and it feels so nice to come back to England and celebrate with our fans.

Asked to describe the scenes in central London, Russo added:

It’s just a bit surreal. It’s crazy to see this many people come out in the home of England at London, heading up to Buckingham Palace – it’s just crazy. I’d never have dreamed of anything like it.

Lionesses Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly could be seen taking in the scenes on their mobile phones as thousands of fans cheered them down The Mall.

Wide smiles can be seen on the players faces as they celebrate this historic moment for English football.

Two England buses are now being driven along The Mall as the Lionesses start their victory parade in the capital.

Some players are wearing sunglasses after two nights of partying following the team’s dramatic penalty shootout win against Spain on Sunday.

The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (The Royal Band) are leading the England team towards Buckingham Palace.

The Daily Mail’s Women’s Football Reporter Tara Anson-Walsh is among the thousands of supporters on The Mall to watch the Lionesses’ victory parade.

Here’s what she told us just minutes before it starts.

It’s crazy down here!

I first got here around 10am and the first waves of crowd were starting to arrive, now it’s nearly impossible to move through the hoards of people as we edge towards Buckingham Palace.

People are singing Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Sarina Wiegman. They’ve also been showing replays of England’s tournament – I’ve heard everything from gasps after losing to France on the opening game to cheers when Chloe Kelly scored her penalty against Italy.

There’s a real sense of anticipation before the bus arrives at the Mall.

A group of six supporters travelled all the way from Somerset to attend the parade and say they want to see Sarina Wiegman front and centre of the celebrations.

One of the group, Izzy Wareham, 22, explained that they drove two hours and 15 minutes from Shepton Mallet to London, before getting the Underground into the centre of the capital.

They said:

We promised the kids we would come if they won on the night of the final. We were very nervous during the whole game and especially the penalties, but they brought it home.

We want to see Sarina on the top of the bus, and Georgia Stanway, and Leah Williamson. In fact, we want to see every one of them. They all deserve it so much.

Kasper Wareham, eight, added:

I want to see Chloe Kelly, she is my favourite player, she’s such a great assister.

England Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang have been pictured on the bus ahead of the team’s homecoming celebrations in the capital.

An open-top bus procession will start along The Mall in 10 minutes time.

Video released by Lionesses also showed players singing along to Heather Small’s hit Proud.

Friends Hayleigh Finch (left) and Kayleigh Hall (second right) have travelled to the parade together with their families.

Describing her reaction to the final, Hayleigh said:

I was off my feet, I was about to have a heart attack.

Kayleigh added:

We were in the pub having a right time.

Hayleigh continued:

I think its going to boost a lot of women to play football because I am not being sexist but the women play better than the men every year. The women are more determined. They don’t give up.

On how they feel about the parade, Kayleigh said:

I am so excited, I am going to cry. I wouldn’t play but I would encourage my daughter to give it a go.

Neil Biddulph, 71, said the win will inspire generations of women footballers.

Attending the victory parade, he told the Daily Mail:

I have two granddaughters, so I think its brilliant. It can only do good and it will give the country a lift. I watched bits of the final while watching my grandson play cricket.

He had travelled with his family to visit London but described the parade as a ‘bonus’.

I’m more excited for these two (granddaughters). Its the first time I have seen a parade and it will definitely inspire future generations.

Describing the atmosphere, he added:

There’s nothing like being here. In 20 years my granddaughters will say ‘I was there’.

The Lionesses appear ready to kick off their homecoming celebrations in the capital as they prepare to leave their hotel for an open-top bus parade in The Mall.

The England team shared an image of themselves wearing scarves and their Euros medals after spending the night in a Hilton hotel.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has sent a message to the nation’s employers asking them to ‘forgive’ workers who attend today’s victory parade.

With tens of thousands expected in the capital, many would have sent in frantic requests for time off to catch a glimpse of Sarina Wiegman and her players.

Writing on her LinkedIn page, Carney, who was capped 144 times by England, wrote:

To all the managers and bosses out there – please forgive anyone who didn’t turn up to work today.

According to reports, organisers of the victory parade say crowds of 50,000 people could attend today’s victory parade in London.

If accurate, that figure will dwarf the 7,000-strong gathering that celebrated with the team in 2022 when they won their first Euros title.

Stars like Chloe Kelly are set for bumper paydays after their Euros heroics

The Lionesses may be back-to-back Euros champions – and narrowly avoided World Cup glory by losing to Spain in the final in 2023 – but they remain incredibly humble.

When they are not on the pitch, the modest stars are maximising their pay outside of football with side hustle or spending time with partners and family in mid-sized houses.

But now they are set for a bumper payday after cementing their place in history with a nail-biting penalty-shootout victory over Spain to retain the Euros in dramatic style.

Brand experts say they are set to triumph off the pitch too, anticipating they will make ‘millions’ over the coming months after becoming the first English team – men’s or women’s – to win on foreign soil.

• Read the full story by Daily Mail reporter Arthur Parashar here

Fresh from their triumphant return to home soil, England’s heroic Lionesses showed no signs of slowing down last night – swapping football boots for dancing shoes as they descended on Soho for a night out

After an emotional whirlwind 48 hours of celebrations following their historic Euros 2025 victory, the squad poured out of their taxis and straight into Little Italy in central London.

All of the squad seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and linking arms as they made their way into the lively late-night spot, sporting their third outfit change of the day.

It came just hours after the team had been honoured with a special reception at No10 Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

• Watch the footage of the Lionesses below and read the full story by Lettice Bromovsky here

Final preparations are underway for the Lionesses’ bombastic homecoming victory parade in London – after scores of fans turned out as much as 12 hours early to cheer on the team after they were crowned running European champions.

The England squad will sail through The Mall towards Buckingham Palace shortly after 12pm today to the screams of thousands, some of whom began arriving as early as midnight to get the best spots.

Captain Leah Williamson will lead the squad as the bus cruises towards the Queen Victoria Memorial – where she and her Lionesses will be quizzed on the match by ex-England heroine Alex Scott against the glorious backdrop of Buckingham Palace.

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Ecstatic fans said they couldn’t sleep ahead of the parade, which comes just as the English school holidays kicked off.

Beaming young England fans – future Lionesses potentially among them – are already lining the route hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Read the full story by Jon Brady here:

More pictures now from The Mall where supporters are continuing to arrive with the parade just over 90 minutes away.

The Lionesses brought the Women’s Euros trophy inside Downing Street yesterday after landing back in the UK.

Manager Sarina Wiegman, captain Leah Williamson and the entire squad proudly wore their medals as they posed outside Number 10.

The players then enjoyed a reception in the Downing Street garden hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Wiegman was later seen speaking to Sir Keir Starmer by telephone after the Prime Minister travelled to Scotland to see US President Donald Trump.

Bleary-eyed and no doubt sleep deprived Lionesses received a heroes’ welcoming on Monday as thousands of people turned up to greet their return at Southend.

The Football Association had warned supporters not to travel to the airport amid fears of overcrowding but it didn’t deter proud fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the team.

As soon as the smartly dressed players emerged from the plane they were whisked off to Downing Street for the start of celebrations which will build to a joyous crescendo this afternoon.

While England football teams have won major tournaments, this achievement by the Lionesses is truly unprecedented.

Sarina Wiegman’s team have won back-to-back European Championships, becoming the first to successfully defend a title won on home soil in 2022.

They also made history by becoming the first England team to lift a major honour abroad with the men’s 1966 World Cup victory also taking place at Wembley.

Ahead of the parade, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation.

Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.

If you’re heading to London for the victory parade this afternoon, or want to watch from the comfort of the sofa, here’s all the details about today’s homecoming celebrations:

Key timings:

• 12.10pm

Homecoming celebration starts with an open-top bus procession along The Mall

• 12.30pm

Start of the live Homecoming celebration staged event at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace

• 1pm

The Homecoming celebration is due to finish

The event is free to attend and will be broadcast live across the BBC, ITV and Sky between 12pm and 1pm.

These pictures show crowds starting to build along The Mall as fans armed with England fans wait to catch a glimpse of the Lionesses.

The procession takes place along The Mall before stopping at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Excitement is building in the capital where some have arrived early ahead of the Lionesses victory parade this afternoon.

Let’s take a look at their interviews on Good Morning Britain earlier:

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Lionesses’ victory parade in London.

In a couple of hours time, Sarina Wiegman and her history-making players will appear on an open-top bus in front of thousands of people celebrating their dramatic Euros victory on Sunday.

Today’s homecoming marks the first time the Lionesses will celebrate their back-to-back titles with the public following their return from Switzerland on Monday.

After landing to crowds of supporters at Southend Airport, the Lionesses were whisked off to a reception at Downing Street where Sir Keir Starmer congratulated them via a phone call after he travelled to Scotland to meet Donald Trump.

Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest from the victory day with eye-catching pictures and videos.