BREAKING NEWS Lionesses arrive at No 10 to meet with Angela Rayner after touching down in the UK to heroes' welcome after their history-making second Euros victory
Sarina Wiegman and her team walked up the gated street in central London towards No 10 for the reception – fresh from their nail-biting Euros victory.
The building has been decked out for the girls arrivals with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings.
Earlier today the team stepped off their private jet at Southend Airport to rapturous applause and a sea of fans chanting 'It's coming home', as captain Leah Williamson clutched the coveted European Championship trophy.
Sir Keir Starmer is notably absent, currently north of the border meeting with Donald Trump during his Scotland visit.
Supporters – many draped in England flags and holding up handmade banners for stars including Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Williamson - screamed with excitement as the stars walked past.
Even though the players didn't stop for selfies or autographs, fans didn't miss a beat, with over 10,000 users tracking the team's plane via Swedish website Flightradar24, desperate to witness their heroes' every move.
The aircraft was met with a dramatic water cannon salute by two fire engines as it taxied in – a fitting tribute to England's football queens.
Despite a gruelling few days on and off the pitch, the Lionesses showed no signs of slowing down as they prepared for a jam-packed schedule of celebrations – including a blockbuster open-top bus parade through The Mall tomorrow.
The windows and railings at the entrance to No 10 Downing Street, London, are adorned in St George's Cross flags ahead of the reception
Kicking off at 12.10pm, the parade will roll on to the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace for a star-studded ceremony hosted by former England ace Alex Scott.
Fans who missed out on today's welcome are being urged to join the festivities tomorrow instead.
The FA said in a statement: 'Our history-making Lionesses will return home this afternoon. But due to limited space at the airport, we would advise fans not to travel there today.
'Instead, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Central London tomorrow for the homecoming celebrations.'
The directive was issued to prevent chaos at already stretched airports and ensure the safe arrival of the national heroes.
Tuesday's celebrations are expected to rival the scenes at Trafalgar Square three years ago – though this year's journey to glory was undeniably more nail-biting.
Though dramatic, England's success that time around was comparatively less tense that the one achieved on Sunday night at the St. Jakob-Park.
But they were still ultimately grateful for the contribution of Chloe Kelly, the match winner against Germany at Wembley, who scored the decisive penalty to sink Spain.
Kelly's introduction midway through the first half changed the momentum of a game that Spain dominated and looked set to win. The 27-year-old, who, like her Gunners team-mates, adds Euros glory to Champions League success, assisted Alessia Russo's 57th-minute equaliser after Mariona Caldentey's 25th-minute opener.
The Lionesses have touched down in England less than 24 hours after their Euro 2025 triumph
Even a one hour delay to the returning flight did not dampen spirits among the fans in attendance
Former England star Jill Scott signed autographs for fans after arriving with the team
England skipper Leah Williamson was in possession of the trophy as the squad returned
The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of action, leading to the dreaded penalty shootout.
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton produced two saves and saw another go wide of the post in the 3-1 shootout win.
England stars celebrated long into the night after their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain. Players joined family and friends to let their hair down.
Ella Toone sang karaoke as England manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson cut a celebratory cake together. Players were still partying into the early hours of the morning, with Toone's partner Joe Bunney posting a picture at 4.10am on Monday morning.
Celebrations began in earnest swiftly after their title defence was assured, with the Lionesses performing a musical number as they left the field.
Led by captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, England's players belted out 2010 hit Dancing On My Own by Robyn as they exited down the tunnel.
The team would later return to the field armed with several boxes of pizza and cans of beer.
Friends and family also joined in the celebrations. Lauren James was seen posing for a group selfie with a large squad of loved-ones, including Chelsea men's captain Reece James.
Ella Toone celebrated with her medal as the party continued into the night in Switzerland
Keira Walsh (left) and Alex Greenwood (right) are among the Lionesses stars to claim their second title
Sarina Wiegman has become only the second women's manager to win three successive Euros
Lauren Hemp celebrated her second European Championship crown by wrapping her arms around girlfriend and former footballer Ashley Hodson.
Inside the England dressing room, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park shared a selfie with their medals.
Beever-Jones had an extra reason to celebrate as Sunday was her 22nd birthday. The Chelsea star captioned an Instagram post: 'BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.'
Maya Le Tissier later uploaded a selfie of herself and Beever-Jones flaunting their medals while on the team bus.
It was not only the players in the party mood. Indeed, manager Wiegman discussed her plans for the rest of the evening during a post-match interview.
'I'll do some more dancing,' she said. 'I'll have a drink but I don't think I'll drink as much as the players will do.'
By late morning, the squad was seen boarding the coach that would take them to the airport ahead of their trip back. Hemp was seen holding a Lego set based on the Disney movie 'Beauty and the Beast' as she left the team hotel in Zurich.
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