Lionesses Return in Glory with an Open-Top Parade, Spark National Pride and Rewrite the Future of Women’s Football

Published: 28 July’ 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

The streets of central London are bracing for jubilation as England’s Lionesses return home in triumph after defending their UEFA Women’s European Championship title for the second consecutive tournament. The Football Association has announced a grand open-top bus parade to honour the team’s extraordinary achievement, inviting the nation to witness history as the players make their way through The Mall before culminating in a celebratory ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial near Buckingham Palace.

The parade, scheduled to begin at 12:10 PM on Tuesday, 29 July, is expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters eager to cheer on the national heroines. The event promises more than fanfare—it will showcase live performances from the Royal Marines Portsmouth Band and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, as well as video highlights from the tournament displayed on massive screens. The finale will see England manager Sarina Wiegman leading the victorious squad on stage to lift the trophy high, marking a moment of immense national pride. The ceremony will be hosted by former Lioness and now-renowned football pundit Alex Scott.

Attendance is free, but the FA has warned of significant congestion across the capital. “People should plan their visits carefully,” advised the association, noting both the expected size of the crowds and travel disruptions likely to follow.

For those unable to attend in person, full live coverage will be broadcast by Sky News, as well as across BBC, ITV, and England’s official social media platforms.

Before Tuesday’s public celebration, the team will be honoured in a private reception at Downing Street upon their return from Switzerland. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock are set to welcome the team on Monday evening. The reception underscores not only the athletic success of the squad but also their social impact in inspiring a new generation of footballers.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his pride in the Lionesses, stating, “Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement but an inspiration for young people across the country. The whole country marks this historic win and the lasting impact they are creating for the future of the game.” Rayner added that it would be a “privilege to celebrate” with the players, while Peacock affirmed the government’s commitment to transforming this success into “lasting change” for women’s football.

Calls for a national bank holiday to commemorate the win have grown louder, with Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey reiterating demands for a day of celebration. He referenced Sir Keir Starmer’s own comments made in 2023, when the then-Leader of the Opposition had stated that such a gesture would be fitting if the Lionesses “brought it home.” However, Downing Street sources have indicated that the proposal is unlikely to proceed, with the estimated £2.4 billion cost to the UK economy acting as a significant deterrent.

Still, the emotional and cultural dividends of the Lionesses’ continued success are hard to ignore. At Bearstead Football Club in Maidstone, Kent—where Alessia Russo, scorer of Sunday’s equalising goal in the 56th minute, first began playing—her image is now immortalised in a striking mural. Club chairman Jamie Houston noted a remarkable transformation in the football landscape: “Five years ago we never had a girls’ football team. Now we have five, and boys are welcoming more girls into the game. There is no stopping them now.”

This sentiment echoes far beyond Bearstead. Lynda Hale, a pioneer of women’s football who donned the England jersey in the first-ever international women’s match in 1972, spoke with visible emotion. “When I first started playing, hardly anyone watched. To see what we started grow to this magnitude is incredible,” she said. Her advice to the current squad? “Make as many memories as you can and take everything in your stride.”

The Lionesses’ second consecutive Euros victory is more than a sporting triumph—it is a landmark moment in the evolution of women’s football, a redefinition of national pride, and a promise that the next generation will rise in a world where the phrase “You play like a girl” is a badge of honour, not a slight.

As the open-top bus rolls through the heart of the capital, carrying with it the hopes and legacy of millions, one thing becomes undeniable: England’s Lionesses are not just champions of Europe—they are champions of change.