Fresh off captaining England to back-to-back UEFA Women’s EURO triumphs, Lionesses skipper Leah Williamson is savoring the sweeter side of success. The Arsenal defender, who lifted the continental crown on Swiss soil just weeks ago, has jetted across the Atlantic for a sun-soaked break in New York City alongside her model partner, Elle Smith. Sources close to the couple describe the getaway as a source of pure “joy” for Williamson, allowing the 28-year-old to recharge amid a whirlwind summer of historic highs.
Williamson’s heroics at EURO 2025 cemented her legacy as one of England’s greatest captains. Leading the Lionesses to a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over world champions Spain in the Basel final on July 27, she became the first senior England skipper to win two major trophies. The triumph followed a nail-biting path: a 1-0 group stage loss to France, but resilient comebacks including a penalty win over Sweden in the quarters and an extra-time thriller against Italy in the semis. Williamson’s commanding presence at the back was pivotal, as she played every minute of the tournament, helping England defend their 2022 title and making history as the first senior English team to claim a major trophy abroad.
The victory parade down London’s Mall drew 65,000 roaring fans, with Williamson fighting back tears as she addressed the crowd: “The story’s not done yet.” But with Arsenal’s pre-season looming and a knee cleanup surgery behind her from the final, the captain is taking well-earned downtime.
Enter Smith, the former Miss USA 2021 and New York-based model signed with Wilhelmina Models. The American beauty, who hails from Kentucky, was a fixture in the stands during England’s knockout clashes, donning custom Lionesses jerseys emblazoned with Williamson’s name and the cheeky slogan “Live, Laugh, Leah.” Their relationship, first rumored in early 2024, went “hard launch” with paddleboard snaps from a March ocean getaway, and has since blossomed publicly. Smith, a former journalist who placed in the Miss Universe Top 10, brings a touch of glamour to Williamson’s world, and the pair’s chemistry was evident as they celebrated the Euros win together.
Now back on home turf, Smith is playing tour guide in the Big Apple. The duo kicked off their trip with a pampering session at the exclusive SAA members’ club in Brooklyn, lounging poolside on the rooftop with cocktails in hand. From there, they caught the electric atmosphere of a WNBA game—spotted courtside and flashing on the jumbotron at a New York Liberty matchup—before diving into the city’s vibrant street scene. Social media glimpses show the couple beaming amid the urban buzz: Smith shielding her eyes from the sun with a steaming coffee in hand, Williamson soaking in the skyline, and the pair hand-in-hand at a lively street party in the city that never sleeps.
This isn’t their first adventure; a pre-Euros jaunt to Majorca in June featured paddleboarding and fine dining, with Smith teasing, “Same time next year?” on Williamson’s posts. As an openly LGBTQ+ icon—often sporting a rainbow armband for England—Williamson has embraced sharing these moments, inspiring fans worldwide.5ba529 Even in NYC, Arsenal ties surfaced when Williamson reunited with club legend Thierry Henry, proving her Gunners spirit travels everywhere.
With the WSL season approaching in September, Williamson’s break is a brief interlude before the grind resumes. Yet, for now, the joy of victory—and love—shines bright. As one insider put it, “Leah’s earned this happiness after carrying a nation on her shoulders.” The Lionesses’ roar may echo from Switzerland, but Williamson’s personal summit looks just as rewarding.
