England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman insists she hasn’t even considered receiving an honorary damehood after leading the Lionesses to Euros glory. On a dramatic night in Basel, Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot kick in a penalty shootout as England retained their title from three years ago.
For Wiegman, it was actually a third consecutive tournament win. She led her native Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory before England’s win on home soil five years later. She is now expected to be handed an honorary damehood, with fans on social media clamouring for her to receive the honour.
Speaking during the team’s visit to No.10 Downing Street today, Wiegmann was asked about the prospect of a royal honour. She replied: “I haven’t thought about that.
“I feel so much respect from England and the Royal Family, too, and I think that’s the most important thing. I feel very special to get so much respect from England.”
Honorary damehoods are given to people who have made contributions to the UK or to international affairs, but are not citizens of nations where the monarch is the head of state. The same applied to honorary knighthoods, with Pele receiving one in 1997.
Wiegman, 55, also lauded the squad’s invitation, describing the day as “very, very, special.” Players and coaches met Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor, with Keir Starmer currently in Scotland, holding talks with Donald Trump.
Wiegman added: “Downing Street, No 10, you don’t come here normally. How they built it up (decorated) like this is very special, and being able to go inside and also in the garden is really, really nice.”
St George’s Cross flags were put up on No.10, and bunting was all over Downing Street. Wiegman continued: “Also, they put up some pictures of us that show what we had done in the Euros. It was a lovely, warm welcome; it was very, very special.”