Sarina Wiegman receives honorary damehood from Prince William

Sarina Wiegman received an honorary damehood from Prince William at Windsor Castle after leading the Lionesses to back-to-back European titles. Wiegman, a Dutch national, is ineligible for a substantive damehood because the Netherlands does not have a British monarch as its head of state. During the award ceremony on Tuesday, she expressed her feelings of privilege, stating, "I feel very privileged to receive my honorary Damehood from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle today. It is a day I will never forget and made even more special by sharing it with members of my family." Wiegman also conveyed her gratitude for the continued respect and warmth she experiences from the English people, thanking everyone for their support. The Lionesses’ manager was named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list at the end of 2025 alongside several members of her England team. Wiegman reflected on her journey, stating, "When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support." This title is not only a personal accolade but also a recognition of her exceptional team. She honored her players and staff, saying, "This title is a reflection of my exceptional team of players and staff. My congratulations go to Alex, Ella, Georgia, Keira, Leah and also Dr Ritan Mehta who have all been celebrated for their brilliant contributions." Wiegman emphasized the collective nature of their success, stating, "Our team values mean that when there is recognition for one, then there is recognition for all. I want to pay tribute to every member of our EURO squad. They should all be celebrated for everything they brought to the pitch and for the positive role they play in society. I’m proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of people." Wiegman, who took over as England manager in 2021, led the team to victory at Euro 2022 and Euro 2025, and she reached the World Cup final in 2023. Earlier this year, she signed a new two-year contract extension, ensuring her tenure until the end of the 2029 Euros.