A young girl who captured the internet’s attention during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Final has finally been identified after going viral for enthusiastically shaking hands with England’s victorious Lionesses—right beside Prince William.
The incident took place on Sunday, July 27, at St Jakob‑Park in Basel, Switzerland, following a tense final between England and Spain. After a dramatic penalty shootout, England’s Lionesses emerged victorious, sparking celebrations across the pitch.
As part of the post-match ceremony, key ambassadors for the women’s tournament made their way onto the field. Among them were Prince William, 43—patron of the England Football Association—and his 10-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Prince William was tasked with presenting medals to the players and congratulating them with handshakes.
However, when the ceremony was broadcast live, many viewers noticed something unexpected.
Standing right beside Prince William and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was a young girl confidently greeting each player before the Prince could fully complete his handshake.
Social media quickly picked up on the moment, dubbing the girl the “mystery handshaker.”
She charmed audiences with her boldness and timing, occasionally jumping in mid-handshake to greet the players herself.
One amused viewer on X (formerly Twitter) wrote,
“The little girl from the #Euro2025 Foundation, stood next to Prince William during the medal ceremony is ki.lling me. Bless her man, fully trying to cut him out of the handshake proceedings.”
Another said, “She was fabulous, totally the most thrilled person ever to be there!”
A third joked, “That girl jumping in front of Prince William to get the handshakes—huge move, she has my respect.”
Until recently, her identity remained unknown.
But German media outlet 20 Minuten has now revealed that the girl is a 12-year-old Portuguese national named Greta.
Greta has lived in Switzerland for several years and was diagnosed with a rare genetic form of epilepsy when she was just six months old.
Her presence at the match and participation in the medal ceremony were part of an initiative by the UEFA Foundation for Children, which gives children with various medical conditions the opportunity to take part in meaningful activities related to football events.
The foundation’s programs are designed to promote joy, inclusion, and confidence through experiences such as honorary appearances and trophy ceremonies.
Greta was chosen as a representative for this year’s final, giving her the special role of standing alongside the UEFA President during the medal presentation.
A UEFA spokesperson explained Greta’s selection to the press, saying: “Greta is a cheerful, open-minded, and determined young girl with a great passion for sport.
Her enthusiasm, perseverance, and love of sport made her a fitting and inspiring choice to participate in the medal ceremony alongside UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.”
In the end, Greta’s presence not only added a heartwarming twist to the final moments of the match but also served as a reminder of the power of inclusion and the joy football can bring to all kinds of fans—regardless of age or background.
