England have retained the European Championship after the Lioness' victory over Spain last week - but a star of the 2022 squad was soon sent back to reality

Another day, another moment for these Lionesses that would have been scarcely imaginable for their forebearers. The back-to-back champions of Europe had won their crown on foreign soil -- the first England senior team ever to achieve such a feat -- and so perhaps could have been forgiven for underestimating the scale of affection for them back home.

The team, decked in England flags and Union Jacks, travelled along The Mall on two open-top buses towards Buckingham Palace as the crowd chanted “It’s coming home.” The crowd was filled with people of all ages and genders,