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A month of last-minute equalisers, penalty shootout victories and a third consecutive European Championship title has given Sarina Wiegman plenty to celebrate, but through it all she has never looked so happy as when Burna Boy was revealed at the trophy parade.
Having revealed the singer-songwriter was her favourite artist in a press conference, England delivered for Wiegman just as she had done for them out in Switzerland.
The singing and dancing version of the Dutch manager proved unrecognisable from the cooler exterior of past tournaments, but then, in her renewed outlook she had plenty to enjoy.
“What I really wanted to do over all these years is try to enjoy it a little bit more,” she had said.
“Trying to enjoy things a little bit more instead of always being so… you have to be focused in this job but you need to celebrate the moments that are good, it's really nice.”
As the Lionesses open-top bus paraded down the mall to the cheers of 65,000 fans, this was certainly one of those moments.
Just three years ago, when women’s football seemed to have captivated the whole nation, there were 7,000 fans who turned up to celebrate their inaugural major trophy at Trafalgar Square.
That number has increased nearly tenfold in the intervening years, though it should be noted there was a cap on capacity in 2022.
It is testament to the impact that the Lionesses had in continuing to inspire a nation that they could fill nearly three-quarters of Wembley Stadium with fans who took time away from work to celebrate their achievements.
And there could not have been a more fitting location.
The finish of the London Marathon has been the end of a mammoth journey for millions, and in a similar fashion - beleaguered from their efforts and ready for a well-earned rest - the Lionesses travelled towards the Palace.
While their heads might not be embossed on coins yet, over the past month they have become Queens of the nation for their embodiment of the most palatable interpretation of Englishness yet.
An unerring resilience and grit had got them to the final in Basel, and as they travelled up to the Victoria Memorial to the cheers of thousands they could finally stop and enjoy the moment.
Fittingly serenaded by a performance of ‘Proud’ by Heather Small, a teary-eyed Leah Williamson issued a rallying cry to those before her.
“2022 was a fairytale but this felt very hard earned and we’re very proud of ourselves. This story is not done yet,” she uttered to further cheers.
While it is another chapter complete, Williamson’s statement will act as further warning to any future opponent if they had not already learned that the Lionesses are never done.
But off the pitch, too, the ramifications of her declaration extend much further.
Having called for equal access to football in PE for girls after the Euro 2022 triumph, the Lionesses have proven their actions are never just restricted to personal success.
For the women who enjoyed their moment in the spotlight on Tuesday, their moments on the pitch will always mean so much more than just another trophy.
This summer they have once again shown just what is possible for young girls aspiring to reach their levels.
As Williamson referenced the fact the trophy they raised in front of the 65,000 at Buckingham Palace did not even exist just over 40 years ago, it is abundantly clear that these role models are all too conscious of that fact.
But as they danced onstage to the anthems of their tournament, they could be afforded the peace to just indulge in what has been a remarkable summer of football and another historic achievement.
As Wiegman and Burna Boy said arm-in-arm: “It's been a hell of a ride.”
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