The Queen has hailed England Lionesses as ‘an inspiration’ as she led global tributes following England’s title success at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Chloe Kelly fired England to a first major title in women’s football with a 2-1 extra-time win over Germany in 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro Final at Wembley Stadium, after Ella Toone’s opener had been cancelled out by Lina Magull.
The result also marked England’s first footballing success in 56 years since the men’s team beat Germany at Wembley in 1966 FIFA World Cup Final.
As the nation celebrated post-match, the Queen issued the following statement on www.royal.uk in which she heaped praise on the squad for their efforts across the tournament.
‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships.
‘It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
‘The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.
‘However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
‘It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’
The Queen’s message was soon followed by tributes from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plus Duke and Duchess of Wales.
Sensational. An incredible win @lionesses and the whole nation couldn’t be prouder of you all. Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations! W
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 31, 2022
Congratulations to the victorious @Lionesses! ????????
Your teamwork, determination and sportsmanship will inspire a generation. You have made us all proud. #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/CP4tjkTPgO
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) July 31, 2022
The British royal family were just amongst a few quickly lining up to pay tribute alongside footballing icons like Gary Lineker, Harry Kane and Michael Owen to name just a few.
Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing @Lionesses!! @ellatoone99 take a bow for that finish too ?
— Harry Kane (@HKane) July 31, 2022
The girls only went and done it! ?❤️
Unbelievable! ???????? https://t.co/ACO5Pz60V3— Steph Houghton MBE (@stephhoughton2) July 31, 2022
European Champions. Unbelievably proud. #Lionesses
— Sir Geoff Hurst (@TheGeoffHurst) July 31, 2022
The @Lionesses has finally bought it HOME ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Fara Williams MBE (@fara_williams47) July 31, 2022
The @Lionesses have only gone and done it, and Kelly is England’s heroine, bra none.
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) July 31, 2022
What the @Lionesses have just done is amazing and so damned bloody hard to do. A seismic moment for Sport in this country! Well done to you all ??????? ❤️⚽️
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 31, 2022
WOW, what a day! Congratulations @leahcwilliamson @bmeado9 @lottewubbenmoy @lilkeets and @Rafaelleleone
You are well deserved CHAMPIONS of your Continent!
Everyone at the @Arsenal is so proud of what you have done!
— Jonas Eidevall (@eidevall) July 31, 2022
MY HEART!!! ITS FINALLY HOME ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️ #Lionesses https://t.co/QnVjZSSOXf
— Carly Telford ? (@carlytelford1) July 31, 2022
European champions!!! Just let that sink in! Crying with so much pride right now. Thank you @Lionesses you’ve changed the game forever
— Casey Stoney MBE ? (@CaseyStoney) July 31, 2022
A…… mazing congratulations @Lionesses #LionessesLive ?????? https://t.co/Sr8MbUcZIY
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) July 31, 2022
Huge congratulations to @Lionesses. Brilliant game. History made. The whole country is proud of you. Enjoy the celebrations ????????? #Lionesses https://t.co/6khg7TVStW
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 31, 2022
History-makers @Lionesses ??????? pic.twitter.com/0l8Mlq7OGX
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) July 31, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS @Lionesses!!
Thoroughly deserved and a credit to the nation.
Delighted to amend the hashtag from #DoingUsProud to #DONEUSPROUD ! ???— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) July 31, 2022
Wow! Congratulations @Lionesses❤️?? https://t.co/f2GiSclTAx
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 31, 2022
CHAMPIONS!!?
CONGRATS!!? https://t.co/3fPeF0txqk— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 31, 2022
Congratulations ladies! You’ve put your names in the history of football. As a resident of England I feel very happy for you. Very well done ???????????? #WEURO22 pic.twitter.com/BE8XzxiuaO
— Lucas Moura (@LucasMoura7) July 31, 2022
What an achievement @Lionesses ??congratulations. Brilliant ???
— jon flanagan (@jon_flan93) July 31, 2022
No words ? pic.twitter.com/gfwurWImrq
— katie chapman (@chapmans17) July 31, 2022
Let this feeling live forever! European Champs!!!! Thoroughly deserved. History made! ??????????? https://t.co/kc7WG30w7a
— Anita Asante (@NicenNeetz) July 31, 2022
The @lionesses brought it home!!
What an incredible moment. So proud. England fans you are immense ❤️??????? pic.twitter.com/JPxZcaQmdq— Kelly Simmons (@KellySimmo1) July 31, 2022
Congratulations @Lionesses fantastic achievement ? The first goal summed up the quality in this team ?? you are all role models for future generations who will take up the game because of what they’ve seen today ❤️ #Lionesses
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 31, 2022
Massive congratulations to everyone involved with the @lionesses on there #Euro22 Triumph! What they have achieved today and throughout this tournament for the womens games status is immeasurable. ????????? https://t.co/GgyNVlMkhE
— Paul Konchesky (@konch3) July 31, 2022
87.192人のウェンブリースタジアム、開催国イングランドが優勝????????
アーセナルのチームメイトも大活躍！
キャプテンリア、大会MVP得点王ベス、ロタにキーツもおめでとう㊗️インテンシティの高さ、雰囲気、世界の女子サッカーの進化が本当にすごい！！！ pic.twitter.com/hFnshRaBPM
— Mana Iwabuchi 岩渕真奈 (@buchi_mana) July 31, 2022
Wales’ Jessica Fishlock MBE however has called for more support to help women teams achieve success instead of just the ‘bare minimum’ compared to male teams.
Another amazing example of how women have to achieve before they get support.
Mens teams get everything for them to achieve..
woman’s teams get the bare minimum, expected to achieve before any support.They do. Despite everything.
That narrative needs to change.
Let’s go ❤️
— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) July 31, 2022
USA’s 1999 World Cup hero, Brandi Chastain meanwhile praised Kelly for her heroic goal and wished her well for what lies ahead as a national hero.
I see you @Chloe_Kelly98 well done. Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!
— Brandi Chastain (@brandichastain) July 31, 2022
Outside of Football, various stars from across other sports, politics and entertainment also dived onto Twitter to post their own celebratory messages, including George Russell, Keir Starmer and Ronnie Wood.
The @Lionesses, you have inspired a generation of women and girls.
My daughter and her friends have strong, successful role models in sport because of you.
The entire nation is so proud. #WEuro2022Final
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 31, 2022
England; Champions of Europe.
Thank you @Lionesses – you were brilliant. The pride of a nation.
#WEURO2022— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 31, 2022
Amazing achievement!! Well done @Lionesses, you’ve made us all proud. ??????? https://t.co/mO7OFD1ahP
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) July 31, 2022
Omgomgomg!! I’m in bits. Not just for the @Lionesses, who were phenomenal, but for every person who believed in women’s football long before it was trendy. Thank you to them. And thank you to this inspirational squad of superstars, #WEURO2022 champions ?
— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) July 31, 2022
⚽️ ???
Congratulations @Lionesses. So much pride ? ?? #WEURO2022
— Angela Rayner ? (@AngelaRayner) July 31, 2022
Congratulations to our #Lionesses #BringItHome they did! ?????
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) July 31, 2022
These #Lionesses are awesome… this is the best football celebration EVER!!!????
— Reece Dinsdale (@reece_dinsdale) July 31, 2022
It so wonderful to see how much of a “team” they really are. They just want to be together, so little interest in the interviews, adorable to watch. #Lionesses
— Kirstie Allsopp (@KirstieMAllsopp) July 31, 2022
England won the Euros! Congratulations @Lionesses! You’ve made us all so proud. What an incredible result! Thank you forever! ?❤️⚽️?❤️????????#eng #EngvGer #Eurofinal pic.twitter.com/zzu8CuLgnI
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) July 31, 2022
Absolutely amazing achievement. Congratulations to the @Lionesses fully deserved ? ??????? #ItsComingHome
— Mark Selby MBE (@markjesterselby) July 31, 2022
IT CAME HOME!!! THIS TIME IT REALLY DID COME HOME!!! ??????⚽️⚽️⚽️
GET IN @LIONESSES
CHAMPIONS!!! ?? #WEURO2022 #ENG #ENGGER
— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) July 31, 2022
It’s finally home…
This result is amazing for the nation but absolutely unreal for women’s sport – I couldn’t be prouder of our @Lionesses
⚽️❤️??????? https://t.co/kRTWpi4p2w
— Jade Edwards (@JadeEdwards9) July 31, 2022
It’s emotional maaaaaaaan…. big up all the women who fought hard to get us to this point. What an amazing moment in history #Lionesses #ENG
— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) July 31, 2022
Heart full. Voice gone. The BEST day with my besties, an absolute incredible privilege to live it ???????
???
Congratulations @Lionesses you are heroes, Sarina Wiegman you are peerless. We salute you!
WHO RUN THE WORLD?? GIRLS!! @WEURO2022 #WEURO2022 #england #ItsHome pic.twitter.com/vPTZ8xDeTy— Reshmin Chowdhury (@ReshminTV) July 31, 2022
“This is what dreams are made of!” Massive pride in our fantastic @Lionesses for their inspiring victory. This is huge for English football, and for girls’ football. CONGRATULATIONS ? pic.twitter.com/Gv6scYHEMn
— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) July 31, 2022
Well done all of you lioness hearted footballists. Really well done
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 31, 2022
Bloody hell.. it’s come home! Congrats @Lionesses – brilliant. ? pic.twitter.com/0Ap8Kurg5M
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 31, 2022
In a pack of Lions it’s the Lionesses who do the most work and bring the food home. @Lionesses just fed the whole country a big slice of celebration. What a historic day for football in this country ??
— Alex Beresford (@alexberesfordTV) July 31, 2022
Because I am a football person, not so much an Olympics person, this is the most moving and uplifting England performance of my adult life. What an inspirational team. #Lionesses
— Robert Peston (@Peston) July 31, 2022
#Lionesses !!!! ???Riveting stuff. History made ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Sanjeev Bhaskar? (@TVSanjeev) July 31, 2022
What a game! What a team!! What a fantastic result!!! AMAZING LIONESSES ❤️❤️ @Lionesses #Lionesses #WEURO2022 #itscominghome
— Jane McDonald (@TheJaneMcDonald) July 31, 2022
#Football has come home and the #Lionesses did it! Yes #EuroWinners
— Floella Benjamin (@FloellaBenjamin) July 31, 2022
You know these women will have had to fight for respect from the first moment they picked up the ball – Lets f**king go girls! @Lionesses #lionesses pic.twitter.com/11ie5Mr1vD
— Shania Twain ??? (@ShaniaTwain) July 31, 2022
Simply MARVELLOUS!
England 2 – Germany 1
?????⚽️ ?#itshome#Lionesses#euros2022— Naga Munchetty (@TVNaga01) July 31, 2022
Incredible!!! Get in @Lionesses what a match! It has finally come home ⚽️♥️
— Michelle Hardwick (@ChelleHardwick) July 31, 2022
They came, they played, they conquered!
England 2 Germany 1
What a match and what a team!#WEURO2022 #LionessesLive— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) July 31, 2022
Prince William hugging the players…..making me cry my eyes out!!!! ????? the true meaning of the word CHAMPIONS ?????? the whole country is behind you @Lionesses you are a credit to #england and #football CONGRATULATIONS ??? #Lionesses #LionessesLive
— LISA RILEY (@Reallisariley) July 31, 2022
C’MMMMONNNNNNNNN!
Oh my god…#Lionesses— Mark Charnock (@markcharnock) July 31, 2022
History in the making. They have made our country so proud. #Lionesses
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 31, 2022
Congratulations @Lionesses ! ? loved watching the coverage in Sweden for a couple of weeks and great to see the buzz back here too??????? pic.twitter.com/WG3kmEcEz8
— Neil Robertson (@nr147) July 31, 2022
These girls can!! #Lionesses
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) July 31, 2022
OH MY ACTUAL GOD. THEY’VE ONLY GONE AND BLOODY DONE IT! #Lionesses
— Emma Kennedy? (@EmmaKennedy) July 31, 2022
Massive congratulations to the lionesses for finally bringing it home
— Rob Burrow MBE (@Rob7Burrow) July 31, 2022
Actor, Stephen McGann meanwhile tweeted about how the Lionesses have shown the men how to win major tournaments.
THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT LADS! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #lionesses
— Stephen McGann? (@StephenMcGann) July 31, 2022
Iconic DJ, Tony Blackburn singled out the atmosphere as a huge winner aside of the Lionesses following crowd trouble at men’s football matches in recent months.
How great to see a football match that is family friendly. No trouble, just people having fun. Mens football could learn a lot from woman’s football.
— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) July 31, 2022
Twitter account – @allontheboard fittingly paid the perfect tribute in which the Lionesses were hailed as legends who play ‘brave dynamic’ football.
Congratulations to the Lionesses.
You are all legends and you have made history.
We are so proud of you all.
Thanks for bringing it home.
IT CAME HOME!!!!@allontheboard#Lionesses #EuropeanChampions #WEuro2022Final #ITCAMEHOME pic.twitter.com/1p5MMYIZwV— All On The Board (@allontheboard) July 31, 2022
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