The Duchess of Edinburgh showcased her impeccable skiing skills as she hit the artificial slopes for her new royal patron role yesterday.
Sophie, 61, stepped out in a striking blue jacket paired with elegant white trousers and ski boots during a visit to Hemel Hempstead’s Snow Centre to meet with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST).
The royal, who is known herself for being an acclaimed skier, spoke with athletes, coaches and board members while also taking to the slopes herself and partaking in target practice with a laser rifle.
AFPST helps assist wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans with alpine skiing and snowboarding and Nordic disciplines in a bid to help them regain their confidence and meet other like-minded individuals.
Sophie, who recently took on the role of the charity’s first ever royal patron, learnt about the upcoming Project VIDDA, which will see the charity send a group of amputee veterans on an Arctic expedition.
Following the visit, Elizabeth Winfield, AFPST’s chief operations officer, described Sophie’s patronage as a ‘defining moment in AFPST’s journey’.
‘It strengthens our ability to grow, to reach more veterans and to deliver the life changing programmes that sit at the heart of our charity,’ she said.
‘Having Her Royal Highness meet our athletes first-hand brings powerful visibility to their resilience and achievements and reinforces why projects like Vidda are so vital.
The Duchess of Edinburgh showcased her impeccable skiing skills as she hit the artificial slopes for her new royal patron role yesterday
Sophie, 61, stepped out in a striking blue ski jacket paired with elegant white trousers and ski boots during a visit to Hemel Hempstead’s Snow Centre to meet with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team
‘The Duchess also witnessed AFPST’s innovative work first-hand, meeting snowboard athlete Darren “Swifty” Swift, a double above-knee amputee from Uxbridge, who explained how new equipment and techniques are making the sport accessible to those with the most complex injuries.’
In February, Sophie met with athletes of the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team during a visit to Meribel, France, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Winter Sporting Association.
Showcasing their gratitude to the Duchess for her time and attentiveness, the organisation praised Sophie on their Instagram page for her ‘warmth, curiosity and encouragement’ towards the athletes.
‘From the moment she arrived on the snow, it was clear how much she genuinely enjoyed meeting the athletes, hearing Swifty’s stories, and celebrating everyone’s achievements,’ the post added.
Earlier this summer, Sophie debuted a dramatic new hairstyle earlier this month as she visited Hertfordshire for an agricultural festival.
Attendees were unlikely to have missed her new look, with the mother-of-two sporting a short, fuss-free bob.
The duchess had several inches of her hair cut as her blonde tresses skimmed her shoulders.
Sophie, whose reading glasses were perched on her head, opted to wear a denim midi skirt with a blue blouse from Penelope Chilvers as she greeted spectators at the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival in Hitchin.
Following the visit, Elizabeth Winfield, AFPST’s chief operation officer, described Sophie’s patronage as a ‘defining moment in AFPST’s journey’
Pictured: Sophie meeting with AFPST atletes during her visit yesterday to mark the announcement she is now the charity’s royal patron
With Britain facing balmy temperatures, it’s understandable why Sophie might have wanted a shorter hairdo.
Sophie finished her look with a pair of tan boots and simple gold accessories, as she was photographed at Lannock Farm in Weston for the two-day agriculture festival aimed at promoting sustainable farming methods.
It was the first time Sophie had been pictured with short hair, as the mother-of-two wore a hat during a recent carriage driving competition at Sandringham.
She donned a straw boater to match her beige blazer for the annual Sandringham Horse Driving Trials on the King’s royal Norfolk estate, making it hard to discern whether Sophie had already had her hair cut.
However, Sophie likely visited her stylist sometime after returning from Jersey on June 24, when her locks still fell past her shoulders.
