Duchess of Edinburgh beats heatwave by showing off skiing skills as she’s handed new role

Duchess of Edinburgh beats heatwave by showing off skiing skills as she’s handed new role Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, an accomplished skier, visited the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead today to visit the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team The Duchess of Edinburgh managed to escape the sweltering temperatures sweeping across the UK - by taking to the slopes. Sophie, an accomplished skier, showed off her skills as she skied down an artificial slope on a royal engagement to mark being named the royal patron of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). It came as she visited the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, where she watched athletes being put through their paces and met those working behind the scenes, including coaches, volunteers and board members. The 61-year-old dressed for the slopes, sped across the artificial snow and also tried some target practice with a laser rifle. AFPST supports wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans through adaptive skiing, snowboarding and Nordic disciplines, It is credited with helping them rebuild confidence, resilience and community, and creating pathways into coaching, competition and adventure. Project Vidda is one of APFST’s flagship initiatives for the coming year, which will see a team of amputee veterans undertake an Arctic expedition, crossing the Norwegian Vidda plateau unsupported. Elizabeth Winfield, AFPST’s chief operations officer, welcomed the royal guest and introduced her to the breadth of the charity’s programmes. She said after the visit: “The Duchess’s patronage marks 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. “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.”