The Duchess of Edinburgh embraced her sporty side as she joined the national women’s hockey team on the field at Bisham Abbey today. Sophie, at 60, traded her stylish heeled boots for adidas sneakers during her visit to the Marlow, Buckinghamshire, center, where she serves as patron of the national governing body. On Monday, the mother-of-two engaged in a training session with Great Britain’s hockey team, clearly thrilled to be back in action. Known for her passion for hockey since her school days at Kent College for Girls, royal author Sean Smith described her as having a fierce reputation on the field in his biography.

Sophie was seen enthusiastically conversing with team members, including forward Holly Hunt, before stepping onto the outdoor pitch. Photos captured her taking shots at goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard, laughing at some of her missed attempts. At one moment, she seemed to channel another royal hockey enthusiast by mimicking some of the Princess of Wales’s renowned moves. Kate, often seen playing the sport, was in her element when she joined the Olympic team before the 2012 London Games.

For her visit to Bisham Abbey, Sophie chose a practical black jumper, complemented by matching slim-fit trousers and a blazer. Initially arriving in black boots, she swiftly switched to adidas Ultra boost shoes for the pitch. Later, she chatted with the team during an indoor gym session and posed for group photos with the GB Men’s Senior Team. England Hockey president Alex Danson-Bennett expressed delight over Sophie’s visit, describing it as an ‘absolute pleasure’ to host her.

It was fantastic for her to spend time with both our men’s and women’s squads and to take part in a hockey session with them,’ Mr Danson-Bennett told Hello!. ‘We appreciate her ongoing support and look forward to hosting her again in the future.’ The last time Sophie – then Countess of Wessex – visited Bisham Abbey was in 2016. She has previously expressed her love for the sport, as Sophie said she appreciates the game has a ‘great social side’. ‘I always really enjoyed playing hockey, it’s so much more than just a team sport,’ Sophie told the magazine.

‘Hockey has a great social side and is a thoroughly enjoyable game to both play and watch.’ Writing in his book, Sophie: Saving The Royal Family, Mr Smith revealed Sophie’s sporting accomplishments during her time in high school. Sophie, who attended the Kent College for Girls, ‘was a talented all-rounder’ and joined the athletics, swimming, netball, and hockey teams. ‘She could run like the win, but it was on the hockey pitch that she excelled, despite now not being the tallest of teenagers,’ Mr Smith wrote. ‘She had a reputation for being an animal with a hockey stick and she struck fear into her opponents.’

It comes after Sophie undertook her first official engagement of 2026 on January 10. The Duchess visited The Lighthouse in Woking, Surrey, ahead of the charity’s planned relocation. Sophie, who has been a patron of the community hub since 2022, spent time with volunteers in the charity’s temporary home before it reopens at Albion House. A spokesperson for The Lighthouse said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness and share the progress being made.’

‘The conversation explored how the redevelopment will strengthen the charity’s ability to support vulnerable people in the community, while embedding social value at the heart of Woking’s town centre regeneration. ‘This collaboration represents a significant step forward for The Lighthouse and for the people we support, ensuring our services can continue and grow as part of Woking’s redevelopment.’