Victorious Lionesses land back in the UK as fans flock to see their Euros heroes ahead of trip to Downing Street - despite being told to STAY AWAY
Supporters had been warned not to travel to the airport to get the first glimpse of the the returning heroes - who were due to land around 2pm before they were delayed for an hour.
Given their efforts, the Lionesses would be forgiven for feeling a little worse for wear, but they will be expected to be back on top form for what promises to be packed celebratory schedule.
The victorious squad are set to touch down on Monday afternoon before heading off to Downing Street, where they will be hosted by Angela Rayner with PM Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland meeting Donald Trump.
Tuesday brings the eagerly awaited open-top bus procession along The Mall, which is set to get underway at 12.10pm and culminate with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace starting at approximately 12.30pm. The ceremony event will be hosted by Alex Scott.
It's there fans will get the chance to honour their heroes and not upon the squad's arrival to the UK following a directive from the FA on Monday.
'Our history-making Lionesses will return home this afternoon,' wrote a spokesman. '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.'
It is hoped the move will prevent potential overcrowding and logistical issues during a busy period for airports and guarantee the players' and staff's smooth and safe arrival home.
It promises to be another extraordinary occasion to rival the trophy parade in Trafalgar Square three years ago. 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 part-way 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 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 shoot-out 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.
Match winner Chloe Kelly looked remarkably well rested, given the partying the squad enjoyed after the win
Drinks were flowing as friends and family joined the England players in celebration
Keira Walsh (left) and Alex Greenwood (right) are among the Lionesses stars to claim their second title
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 boxfuls 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.
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.'
Beever-Jones and Leah Williamson (right) refuelled with pizza and beer after Sunday's big win
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 leaves the team hotel in Zurich.
Georgia Stanway looked a little jaded as she walked to the team coach followed by young starlet Michelle Agyemang.
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