Chloe Kelly Receives Freedom of the Borough of Ealing
Women's Euros star one of six to be given the honour
Chloe Kelly during the Women's Euros in 2025. Picture: @Lionesses/X
March 25, 2026
England international footballer Chloe Kelly will be awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Ealing this Wednesday evening (25 March) at a civic ceremony at Gunnersbury Park Museum.
The event, which begins at 7pm and is hosted by the Mayor of Ealing, will honour six individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the borough and to public life nationally.
Chloe, who grew up in Hanwell, is being recognised not only for her iconic winning goal in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final, but also for her decisive performances during England’s successful defence of their title at the 2025 Euros in Switzerland.
Despite calls for her to be given the honour after her heroics in 2022, she didn't receive it at the time. Over the course of the 2025 tournament, she once again established herself as England’s “big-moment” player. She assisted two goals and scored in the shoot-out as England came from behind to eliminate Sweden in the quarter-finals. She then scored the extra-time winner against Italy in the semi-final, before assisting the equaliser and converting the winning penalty in the final against Spain. Her calmness under pressure and her ability to change games from the bench were widely praised, with England coach Sarina Wiegman describing her as a player who “loves those moments” and thrives when the stakes are highest.
Chloe Kelly now joins fellow England international Bukayo Saka, who received the Freedom of the Borough in 2022 following his rise from Greenford High School to starring for Arsenal and England. Bukayo was honoured for his achievements at Euro 2020 and for the inspiration he has provided to young people across Ealing.
Alongside Chloe, the ceremony will honour Sara Nathan for her longstanding contribution to public life in Ealing. It will also recognise the late Eric and Jessica Huntley, founders of the pioneering Black publishing house Bogle L’Ouverture Publications, whose work has had a lasting impact on education, culture and civil rights. Former Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma will be acknowledged for decades of public service, while Pragna Patel will be celebrated for her leadership in campaigning for women’s rights and social justice.
Councillors, civic representatives and previous recipients of the Freedom of the Borough are expected to attend the ceremony. The award is the highest honour a local authority can bestow and is reserved for individuals who have given exceptional service to Ealing or brought significant distinction to the borough.
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