As England’s Lionesses celebrated back-to-back European titles in Basel, a young girl standing beside Prince William during the trophy presentation sparked plenty of curiosity among viewers.
The 12-year-old, who appeared alongside the Prince of Wales and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, quickly became a talking point online, with many wondering who she was and why she was part of the ceremony.
Social media buzzed with questions, as fans noticed her warmly interacting with players during their medal moment. “Who is that girl on the podium next to Prince William?” one user asked on X (formerly Twitter). Another joked: “She keeps jumping in for handshakes – huge move, she has my respect.”
Now, UEFA has confirmed the girl’s identity. Her name is Greta, a 12-year-old sports fan from Switzerland who was invited to take part in the final presentation as part of the UEFA Foundation for Children initiative.
Born in Portugal and living with Dravet Syndrome – a rare and severe form of epilepsy – Greta was chosen to represent children supported by the foundation. Despite feeling nervous at first, she described the moment as unforgettable. “I was nervous at first, but then I saw the players smiling at me,” she said. “It felt like I was part of their team.”
Greta’s love for football and basketball is well known within her community, and she is an active member of PluSport, a Swiss organisation that promotes sports opportunities for young people with disabilities.
A UEFA spokesperson praised her spirit and positivity, saying: “Greta is a cheerful, open-minded, and determined young girl with a great passion for sport. Her enthusiasm, perseverance, and love of the game made her an inspiring choice for this special moment.”
UEFA has since posted a short video montage of Greta’s time on stage, which included a warm hug from England forward Chloe Kelly. The caption read: “Turning dreams into reality at Euro 2025… An unforgettable moment.”
The ceremony was watched by millions across Europe as England edged out Spain in a tense penalty shootout, with Leah Williamson lifting the trophy once again. While the focus remained on the team’s historic win, Greta’s presence quietly reminded the world of the power of football to inspire, include, and unite.
