Tens of thousands of fans flooded through Green Park toward the Mall, a vibrant sea of red and white. Teenage boys had England flags painted on their faces, young girls wore their football club kits, while longtime supporters of women’s football mingled with newcomers eager to soak up the historic moment.
On Tuesday, 65,000 jubilant fans packed the Mall in central London to welcome home the victorious Lionesses after their Euro 2025 triumph on Sunday.
“I just wanted to be part of history,” said Joanne Rumsby, 58, draped in an England flag with a red-and-white flower garland around her head. “I saw them win at Wembley three years ago, but to see them do it again was everythingâpure elation, pride, just wonderful.”
The England squad, returning from Switzerland on Monday after securing back-to-back European titles, were met with deafening cheers, chants, and tears of joy.
“Lionesses hear the roar,” read one little girlâs signâand hear it they did.
From atop their open-top bus, branded with “champions,” the players danced, waved, and looked like they were having the time of their lives before stepping onto a stage near the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
“Iâve been crying all the way down the Mall,” said captain Leah Williamson, taking the microphone from former England player Alex Scott. “This is unbelievable.”
Williamson acknowledged their second major trophy had been hard-foughtâsealed with last-minute equalizers, grueling extra-time battles, and nerve-wracking penalty shootouts.
“Everything we do, we do for the team, but also for you, for the country, for young girls,” she said. “Thank you for being with us. Stay with usâthis story isnât over yet.”
Among the crowd was Beth Magee, 49, grinning as she listened to the celebrations. She admitted to climbing over a barrier with help from her three teenage daughters to get a better view.
“Iâve never broken a rule in my life, but I made an exception today,” she said. “When the police tried to move us, I told my girls, âIâll talk to them, but weâre not budging.â”
Gesturing to the team, she added, “These women are incredible role modelsâstrong, healthy, smart. Weâre so proud of them.”
The Lionesses have long championed inspiring the next generation, and the impact of their 2022 Euros win was evident. In the following season, 1,500 new teams were registered in England, with female participation soaring by over 50%.
Vivienne Avery, 55, was one of those inspired. “I signed up for a course the week after they won,” she said. “I thought, âItâs now or never.â This team has motivated people of all ages.”
Her daughter Ruby Davies, 20, recalled struggling to find a girlsâ team in her teens. “Now there are teams everywhere,” she said. “Winning twiceâsomething no England team has done beforeâputs womenâs football front and center. The impact will be massive.”
The championsâ joy was unmistakable as they lingered on stage, calling for more songs even after the celebrations officially ended.The celebration was wild and joyfulâat one point, Chloe Kelly gave live broadcasters an instant headache by shouting, “It’s so fucking special!” Even the usually composed England manager, Sarina Wiegman, let loose, dancing on stage with her favorite singer, Burna Boy, who performed his song For My Hand with the team.
When asked about fans replacing “Mexico” with her name in the song Tequila, Wiegman smiled wryly. “Very creative and funny, the English,” she said. “Now it’s stuck in my headâthanks for that.”
Reflecting on how this win differed from 2022, she added, “We never lost hope. It starts with talent, but the bond in this team made all the difference. Everyone was ready to support each other.”
England’s star player, Lucy Bronze, marveled at the overwhelming fan response. “This moment is unbelievable,” she said, sporting her signature ski goggles and an England scarf wrapped around her head. “We did it three years ago, but to experience this again is incredible.”
When asked about the post-final celebrationsâwhich she later revealed she played through with a fractured left tibiaâshe deadpanned, “I donât remember.”
As the show ended and the last dances wrapped up, fans began streaming past Buckingham Palace, the echoes of Sweet Caroline and Daft Punkâs One More Time still ringing in their ears. The team had lifted their trophy amid a shower of ticker tape and red-and-white fireworks.
Nine-year-old Eva Mummery, who traveled from Gloucestershire with her teammates from the Gotherington Jaguars under-11s, was inspired. “It makes me want to play even more,” she said. “I want to reach a higher level so one day, I can bring home that trophy with my amazing teammates.”
