The England women’s football team were greeted by cheering crowds as they returned home on Monday after their Euro 2025 victory over Spain.

Hundreds of fans holding flags and dressed in England kits waited outside Southend Airport to catch a glimpse of the triumphant squad.

The Lionesses then travelled by coach to attend a reception at Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. The players presented them with a signed England shirt, and enjoyed canapes and drinks in No 10’s garden.

An open-top bus parade in central London is due to follow on Tuesday. A procession along The Mall is also planned, and a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.

England defended their European title with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory in the Euro 2025 final in Basel on Sunday.

Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, also helping the squad become first English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.

Back home, more than 16 million people saw the match live on TV – the most-watched television moment of the year so far.

The Lionesses arrived at Southend Airport on board a plane featuring the England badge and the word “Home” on its side.

“Our Lionesses are absolute champions and they proved that again last night,” said Rayner, ahead of the reception.

“Not only are they bringing it home for England again, but they’re inspiring the next generation of champions too.”

Holding the Euro 2025 trophy, skipper Leah Williamson was the first player to emerge from the plane, walking down the stairs of the gangway alongside head coach Sarina Wiegman.

The whole squad – dressed in tracksuits and their winner’s medal – then joined them on the tarmac, posing for a photograph in front of the plane.

About an hour later, by now dressed in England’s official tailored clothing line, the players emerged from the terminal and walked to their coaches in front of the crowd of fans.

Williamson again held the trophy as she walked past the supporters.

The Lionesses and their support staff arrived at Downing Street shortly before 19:00 for the reception.

They posed for another photograph on the steps of No 10, which had been decorated with red-and-white St George’s flags.

Speaking earlier, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation.”

King Charles III also paid tribute, saying the Lionesses had the Royal Family’s “warmest appreciation and admiration”, before adding: “The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.”

It is understood plans for a reception in the autumn at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle are being explored by officials.

Asked about calls for the team to be recognised with honours, the prime minister’s spokesman stressed there was an the independent process for nominations.

But he added: “I hope we’ll see lots of nominations for this incredible winning team.”

Downing Street also dismissed calls for an extra bank holiday following the victory, with the spokesman saying: “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win we’d never go to work.”

Calls for a bank holiday after a major football success are not new, but none were held when England’s men’s team won the World Cup in 1966, nor when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022. Governments have been reluctant to introduce additional public holidays because of the impact they have on economic output.

But the Royal Mail has announced plans to mark England’s win with a special postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday.

It reads: “It’s Home. Again. Champions of Europe 2025. England Women’s Football Squad.”