England Lionesses Win Euro 2025, London Parade Planned, No Bank Holiday

England's Lionesses secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain to successfully defend their Women's Euros title, prompting nationwide celebrations including an open-top bus parade in London and a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made crucial saves, earning widespread praise from the Royal Family and political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles, who extended heartfelt congratulations and highlighted the team's resilience and inspiration. Despite calls from some politicians, including Sir Keir Starmer and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, for an extra bank holiday to honor the achievement, Downing Street has confirmed there will be no additional day off, citing economic costs estimated in the hundreds of millions to billions of pounds. The government aligned with previous decisions not to grant a bank holiday for major football victories, reflecting continuity with past practices including the 2022 Euros win and the men's 1966 World Cup. The celebrations, while lacking a bank holiday, will be widely accessible, free to attend, and broadcast live across major networks, emphasizing national pride and unity. The King also challenged the team to aim for the World Cup in 2027, underscoring the significance of the Lionesses' accomplishments on and off the field.