Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel
Keir Starmer has made a surprise appearance at the Euros final in Switzerland to support the Lionesses
The Prime Minister, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel. He was seen watching the pitch with intense eyes as England’s women’s team kicked off the match a against Spain.
Writing in today’s Sunday Mirror, the Prime Minister spoke about his joy of taking his daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros tournament in 2022. He said it was a “special moment” seeing his daughter stay long after the final whistle to watch the team celebrate their win.
The Lionesses went on to win the last Euros tournament, beating Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. The PM this morning declared: “Let’s bring it home again.”
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Mr Starmer said: “Whatever happens tonight, this team have already written their names in the history books. They’ve shown the best of our national character. Not just their skill, grit and determination, but their calm-headedness. No matter the pressure they’re under.
“I will always remember taking my daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros, and I know she’ll always remember it too. She stayed long after the final whistle, watching the team celebrate. It was a special moment for me – one that is repeated up and down the country every time they play.
“Because football not just entertains but inspires. That’s what this squad does. And it’s why so many young women look up to them.”
The Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte have also been pictured in Switzerland ahead of the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England’s Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, a picture of William and Charlotte was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s X account with the caption “let’s go, Lionesses”.
Elsewhere, Mr Starmer is facing calls to grant an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros 2025 final on Sunday. The Prime Minister previously backed calls for a “proper day of celebration” for the nation when England women’s football team reached the final in the last Euros tournament in 2022, which was hosted by England.
The then-Opposition Leader told the Mirror: “The whole country will be roaring on the Lionesses in the final… They have already done us proud, but if they win it will be a truly historic achievement – one that should be marked with a proper day of celebration, where clubs can open and promote access for women and girls.”
England went on to win the match against Germany but the Tory government did not grant a bank holiday for the nation to celebrate the historic victory.
In its latest update, before the Lionesses roared to victory last week, Downing Street said it was “not aware of any plans” for an extra bank holiday. The PM’s official spokesman said he didn’t want to jinx it before the team had reached the final.
Asked about the prospect of one, the PM’s spokesman said on Tuesday: “I’m not aware of any plans for that but when it comes to backing the Lionesses, the PM is sending his best wishes ahead of the semi finals. We cannot get ahead of ourselves.”
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