'An inspiration for girls and women': Queen congratulates Lionesses

‘An inspiration for girls and women’: Queen congratulates Lionesses on historic victory against Germany in Euro 2022 final saying the England stars’ success ‘goes far beyond the trophy you have earned’

• Queen heralds Lionesses’ ‘significant achievement’ minutes after heroic victory
• In message signed ‘Elizabeth R.’, she said: ‘Your success goes far beyond trophy’
• Monarch, 96, added: ‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration’
• A record 87,192 fans were at Wembley, with an incredible 19.5m watching on TV 

The Queen (pictured in Scotland four weeks ago) celebrated the Lionesses an ‘an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations’

The Queen heralded the Lionesses’ incredible Euros victory at Wembley this afternoon as a ‘significant achievement’ and an ‘inspiration for girls and women’.

Her Majesty, 96, sent out a message within minutes of this evening’s dramatic extra-time win against Germany.

The monarch wrote: ‘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’, she said in the statement, which was signed off ‘Elizabeth R.’

She added: ‘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, 96, wrote: ‘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 royal was beaming as he shook hands with Beth Mead, who put on a fierce battle tonight

The Duke of Cambridge could not contain his excitement as he shook the players’ hands

Her grandson Prince William had attended the match this evening, with Princess Charlotte sending out a message of support for the England Women’s team.

The future king was all smiles as he shook the hands of the players, gave captain Leah Williamson a hug, and had words of praise for Chloe Kelly who scored the decisive goal against the opposing team during overtime

It had been a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by Prince William in the crowd.

But the introduction of Ella Toone looked to have settled it after she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium. 

Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive goal against Germany in extra-time, were ecstatic as they celebrated the dramatic victory, which for long periods looked in doubt

There was heartbreak minutes later as Magull worked her way into position to equalise, devastating England fans across the country.

With only ten minutes left, the game was left balancing on a knife edge with the ultimate prize at stake.

The stalemate could not be broken, going into another agonising 30 more minutes of extra time which at first had produced nothing more.

But Kelly was not about to let the game go to penalties and picked the biggest stage in the world to produce her first ever international goal.

She dominated German keeper Frohms to propel England to a 2-1 lead and set the game beyond any doubt.

An estimated 19.5million are thought to have watched the match on television.

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