The Lionesses of England will celebrate their triumph in defending the UEFA Women’s Euro title with a festive open-top bus parade in central London today, allowing fans to partake in the excitement.
The parade is scheduled to start at 12:10pm, where the team will journey down The Mall and conclude with a special ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial, located outside Buckingham Palace. The Football Association (FA) anticipates that the closing celebration will start at approximately 12:30pm and conclude by 1:00pm.
Team captain Leah Williamson and forward Chloe Kelly will be among the stars parading the trophy, as thousands of supporters are expected to line the streets to cheer them on. The team posted a photo of the silverware on social media, showing it draped in an England flag aboard their flight home, which bore the word "Home" in bold red letters.
After touching down in the UK on Monday, the team received a water cannon salute from fire engines and a warm welcome led by Williamson and manager Sarina Wiegman. Celebrations kicked off almost immediately with a Downing Street reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock.
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England Lionesses Womens Euros Celebration[/caption]
Today’s celebration will feature live music performances by the Royal Marines Portsmouth Band and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Tournament highlights will be broadcast on large screens, setting the stage for manager Wiegman and the players to make a triumphant appearance and lift the trophy before fans.
The event will be hosted by former England international and pundit Alex Scott. Entry is free, but the FA has advised attendees to prepare for large crowds and potential travel disruption in central London.
In a message of congratulations, King Charles III extended “warmest appreciation and admiration” from the Royal Family, adding a hopeful nudge: “The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also praised the squad: “The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. Their victory is a remarkable sporting achievement and an inspiration for young people across the country.”
The government has pledged to invest £900 million into major sporting events and grassroots infrastructure, with £400 million earmarked specifically for upgraded sports facilities over the next four years.
