Princess Charlotte couldn’t hide her excitement after Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty secured a second consecutive European Championship victory for England’s Lionesses.
The young princess watched alongside her father, Prince William, as England’s women’s team made history. It was a match full of intensity and drama.
After Spain took the lead with a goal from Mariona Caldentey, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo brought hope back to the English side by equalizing. But it was Chloe Kelly who stole the show — and won Charlotte’s heart — by burying the decisive penalty against goalkeeper Cata Coll.
Charlotte was visibly anxious during the nail-biting shootout, mimicking the nerves of many fans who watched with heads in their hands. Prince William, who serves as President of the Football Association, stood proudly beside her and applauded during the national anthem before the match began.
Celebrations Across the Nation
Cheers erupted across the country as the Lionesses clinched their back-to-back championship title. In stadiums and fan zones like Boxpark Croydon, elation swept through the crowd. Supporters waved England flags and embraced in celebration when Russo’s header hit the back of the net, injecting energy into the tense game.
As the final whistle blew, the joyful atmosphere only intensified, with fans dancing and singing well into extra time. The victory was not only a triumph for the team but a moment of national pride, supported by royals and fans alike.
Earlier in the day, William and Charlotte were photographed in Switzerland, where they attended the Euros final. The royal family was firmly behind the team, leading the country in cheering on the Lionesses. A photo shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s X (formerly Twitter) account just before the game captured the pair smiling, with the caption: “Let’s go, Lionesses.”
Inspiration for Future Generations
The excitement wasn’t limited to the stadium. At Boxpark Croydon and at grassroots clubs like Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex — the former team of star forward Michelle Agyemang — support was electric. Agyemang, 19, had earned her first senior England cap just before the tournament and played a vital role in England’s comeback efforts in both the quarter-final and semi-final.
One of her biggest fans, 11-year-old Violet Ingram, who plays left wing for Brandon Grove Emeralds, said before the final: “Seeing her (Agyemang) and the team just makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do.”
A Royal Send-Off
The celebration and encouragement began well before the match. In a special performance outside Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Grenadier Guards played “Three Lions” in honor of the team. Meanwhile, the royal family’s official X account shared a heartfelt message:
“Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women’s Euro Final this evening.”
With their thrilling victory and royal support, the Lionesses didn’t just secure a trophy — they inspired a nation.