The Lionesses made it to another historic final, but the Royal Family managed to turn celebration into erasure. In their congratulatory message ahead of Sunday’s UEFA EURO 2025 final, the monarchy praised the England women’s team for their grit and teamwork. But they left out one of the tournament’s key players—19-year-old striker Michelle Agyemang.

Agyemang scored the equalizing goals in both the quarterfinal against Sweden and the semifinal against Italy. Without her, England would not be in the final. Yet she is nowhere to be found in the Royal Family’s image or message. Her omission is not just a mistake. It fits a long-standing pattern of selective recognition, one that often excludes Black women when the spotlight is brightest.

Michelle Agyemang Carried England And Got Erased

Michelle Agyemang has been the breakout star of the tournament. She came off the bench in the 81st minute against Sweden and scored the equalizer that sent the match to penalties. She did it again against Italy, scoring a 96th-minute equalizer that kept England’s dream alive. The teenager from South Ockendon has proven herself under pressure. And yet, she was not acknowledged in the Royal Family’s celebratory post.

The image featured other players and coaching staff. The statement praised the team’s journey and spirit. But it failed to name or include the young Black woman who arguably made the final possible. Agyemang wasn’t a benchwarmer. She was the moment. And she was missing.

Related | British Media Continue Vilifying Black Players Like Bukayo Saka

Everyone Saw Michelle Agyemang Except The Royal Family

Big brands didn’t miss Michelle Agyemang’s impact. Adidas UK called her “HER” in a viral post. ESPN labeled her the “saviour of the nation.” Arsenal Women, her club, posted her name with nothing else—because her performance spoke for itself. Even the official Lionesses account named her Player of the Match, celebrating her back-to-back game-saving goals.

So why couldn’t the Royal Family see her?

Collage featuring Adidas UK, ESPN FC, and Arsenal Women social media posts honoring Michelle Agyemang after her crucial performances at UEFA EURO 2025. Images show Agyemang mid-celebration, smiling in her England kit, and kneeling in triumph on the pitch. Captions include phrases like “BALLER,” “Saviour of the Nation,” and her name in bold.
Adidas, ESPN, and Arsenal hailed Agyemang’s brilliance, yet the Royal Family stayed silent. Their omission speaks louder than words.

If they couldn’t even fully see their own Black biracial daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, how could they ever appreciate a dark-skinned, unapologetically talented 19-year-old like Michelle Agyemang? The omission feels deliberate in a nation that still struggles to name, honor, and uplift Black women in the spotlight. Agyemang didn’t just deserve to be seen—she demanded it. The rest of the world saw her. The monarchy chose not to.

William And Kate Keep Missing The Moment

The erasure of Agyemang comes in a broader context of royal disengagement with women’s football. Prince William is the President of the Football Association. But he has missed some of the most important matches in Lionesses history. He did not attend the 2019 World Cup semifinals or the third-place match. He skipped the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, offering only a video apology with Princess Charlotte.

Kate Middleton has also been notably absent. She missed the 2022 EURO final at Wembley, which England won.

Excuses around distance, children, or scheduling only go so far. The monarchy shows up for men’s football. They make time for Wimbledon. But when women, especially Black women, are on the field? The support becomes conditional.

Prince William is confirmed to attend the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final in Basel, where England will face Spain. His decision to show up for the final follows backlash for missing the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Australia, despite being President of the Football Association. His presence this time comes amid renewed criticism of the Royal Family’s engagement with women’s football, particularly after their public tribute to the Lionesses omitted striker Michelle Agyemang, whose goals helped secure England’s place in the final.

Related | The Lionesses Win Again, but Is Royal Recognition Too Little Too Late?

Final Thoughts

Michelle Agyemang should have been the face of national pride this week. Instead, she was erased from the Royal Family’s public celebration. This was not an isolated mistake. It was a reminder of how the monarchy continues to treat women’s sport as secondary, and how Black women remain invisible within royal recognition.

The Lionesses are not just playing for trophies. They are playing against a culture that still fails to see them fully. Michelle Agyemang put England in the final. The Royal Family had a choice to honor that. They chose not to.

And the public noticed.

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