It’s no secret that the British royal family is a sporty bunch, and the Duchess of Edinburgh carried the baton for athletic royals on 12 January as she stepped out on a solo outing. Duchess Sophie, 60, visited England Hockey at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where she took part in a training session with the team’s goalkeeper, Miriam Pritchard.
For her sporty display, the Duchess finessed the quickest shoe change. Upon arrival at the centre, Prince Edward’s wife donned a pair of heeled ankle boots made from black suede and featuring a rounded toe. She speedily changed into a pair of trainers so she could really show off her skills, opting for the £160 ‘Ultraboost 5’ style by Adidas, which featured cushioned soles and splashes of pink for a feminine finish.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe Duchess was in fits of giggles as she enjoyed a spot of hockey
Elsewhere in her look, Sophie opted for slim-fit black trousers, a roll-neck jumper, a black blazer, and, upon arrival, a plaid scarf. She proved that trainers can be styled with more formal pieces to dress them down.
While you may not rock your kicks with a business suit every day, Gabrielle Mai, a global fashion stylist with seven years of experience in the industry, has shared her tips for using sporty shoes to make any look more casual – and more comfortable.
© GettySophie wore heeled boots before playing hockey
“Keep the tailoring sharp. The contrast works because the suit remains clean-lined and structured; trainers look intentional when paired with precise tailoring rather than oversized or sloppy silhouettes.
Stick to a tight colour palette. Monochrome or near-monochrome outfits allow trainers to blend seamlessly rather than disrupt the look, keeping it polished instead of casual.
Choose refined trainers. Minimal, low-profile styles in neutral tones elevate the outfit and avoid tipping into athleisure territory.
Let one element relax the look. Here, trainers soften the formality while everything else stays classic; too many casual pieces dilute the effect.
Confidence is key. Dressing down tailoring works best when worn with ease; it should feel purposeful, not like a compromise.”
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Duchess Sophie’s most iconic fashion moments
Sophie’s winter staple
Sophie’s outing to England Hockey comes just days after she paid The Lighthouse, a community hub in Woking, a visit ahead of their relocation. For this outing, she wore not trainers but a pair of suede tan boots by Penelope Chilvers, which worked perfectly with her Isabel Marant ‘Oskan Moon Shoulder Bag in Cognac’ and belted jacket from Bally.
© GettyThe Duchess of Edinburgh teamed a Jane Taylor hat with coordinating boots
Her winter boots are a staple of her 2026 wardrobe already, as she sported them while stepping out on 4 January 2025 with her husband, plus King Charles and Queen Camilla, for a Sunday church service at Sandringham.