Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman named Honorary Dame by UK’s King Charles after Euro victory

Dutch football coach Sarina Wiegman has been named an Honorary Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) by King Charles, recognizing her outstanding contributions to football, BBC reports.

Wiegman, 56, led the English national team, the Lionesses, to their second consecutive European Championship this past summer.

Wiegman becomes only the third non-British sportsperson to receive this honor, following Brazilian football legend Pelé in 1997 and Belgian former International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge in 2014. As a foreign national, Wiegman cannot officially use the title “Dame,” but she is formally recognized as such.

“When I first arrived in England, I never imagined I would receive so much respect and warmth from the English people,” Wiegman said. “I am deeply grateful to the fans for their support.”

Wiegman’s accolades extend beyond her royal recognition. In December, she was named Coach of the Year at the NOC*NSF Sport Gala, becoming the first woman to earn the award in the Netherlands.

She has also been recognized as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s British Coach of the Year and has received the FIFA Women’s World Best Coach award five times, including at the Ballon d’Or Gala.

Several players from the English squad also received royal honors, including Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, and Keira Walsh, acknowledging their achievements at the European Championship.