Pride and joy: England lauds Lionesses

LONDON — England's victorious Lionesses celebrated their dramatic Women's Euro 2025 triumph along with tens of thousands of ecstatic fans outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended its European crown by beating world champion Spain on penalties in the Swiss city of Basel on Sunday, sparking an outpouring of national joy.

The Lionesses flew home on Monday and were immediately whisked to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for a reception.

On Tuesday, it was the turn of supporters to celebrate the astonishing success of the team, which repeatedly defied the odds during its run to glory in Switzerland.

Shortly after midday, under gray skies, two open-top buses emblazoned with the words "European Champions" set off from the bottom of The Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace.

Captain Leah Williamson held the Euro 2025 trophy aloft and supporters responded with cheers and by waving their flags in a sea of red and white.

The decibel count rose as the bus crawled along the road, lined with Union flags and the St George's Cross, led by a military band. The Football Association said at least 65,000 were packed onto The Mall.

The huge crowds then swarmed down the road toward the palace — King Charles III's official London residence — to party with the squad, with two large screens showing tournament highlights.