Unlike the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh rarely steps out in trainers but she made an exception for one of her first engagements of 2026. Showcasing her hockey skills in a training session at England Hockey, Sophie needed shoes that were practical, comfy and stylish.
Her trainers of choice ticked all these boxes and whilst they could still count as white trainers, the pops of yellow and pink on the adidas Ultraboost 5 shoes brightened up the grey winter day. The Duchess’s trainers come in various colours – including neutrals – though she loves bringing some fun to her style with vibrant shades like this and the rest of her outfit was black and navy.
(Image credit: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Shop Sophie’s Trainers
adidas Ultraboost 5 Running Shoes
The adidas Ultraboost trainers come in a range of different colourways and this one is a similar mix of white and vibrant tones to Sophie’s. They’re light-weight and have a textile upper and lining, as well as a torsion system.
adidas Ultraboost 5 Running Sneakers
Sophie’s trainers blend practicality and style, with their fun pops of colour making these really stand out. They’re designed as running shoes, but you could just as easily wear them with your favourite jeans and jumpers too.
adidas Black Ultraboost 5 Shoes
Not everyone loves a bright pair of trainers and if you prefer things on the neutral side, then these black and white Ultraboost 5 shoes could be for you. They’re made with the brand’s lightest BOOST cushioning ever and give back energy with every stride.
Shop More Trainers
Puma Women’s Carina Lux L Trainers
One of the only other trainers we’ve seen the Duchess of Edinburgh wear over the years are these Puma Carina sneakers and they’re a fashionable option for wearing day to day. You can get them in several different hues and they have a tennis-shoe design.
Superga Unisex Cotu Classic Trainers
The Princess of Wales loves these Superga trainers when she wants to dress smart-casual and they’re a plimsoll-esque shape. They have canvas uppers, rubber soles and are a sleek alternative to chunky workout shoes.
lululemon Chargefeel 3 Workout Shoes
The Princess of Wales owns the lululemon Chargefeel 2 Low shoes and these Chargefeel 3s are a lovely option for this year and beyond. They’re designed for running and training and the layered upper is engineered for breathability and support.
Featuring a textile upper and lining, the Ultraboost trainers are known for their cushioning and for being very lightweight. Designed for running, this makes total sense and woman&home’s Health Editor, Grace Walsh, considers them to be one of the best running shoes around right now.
“Whether you’re playing hockey or going for a jog, I’d recommend the adidas Ultraboost range for a breathable and comfortable feel and as one of the best running trainers,” she says. “Despite being well cushioned, alleviating pressure from the knees and hips, they are lighter in weight than other running shoes, making it feel easier to move.”
Like plenty of other activewear pieces, like workout leggings and fleeces, they can also be worn with casual everyday attire as well as for doing sports. In that case, I would usually advise going for a more pared-back colourway like all white or black and white, as these are easier to style with a range of other shades and items.
(Image credit: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
However, Sophie’s colourful sneakers were a playful alternative and she wasn’t worried about perfect colour-matching whilst she was throwing herself into the hockey session. These trainers were her second pair of shoes for this visit, as she arrived wearing Aquazzurra Manzoni boots.
Falling somewhere between knee-high boots and low ankle boots, they came up relatively high on the leg and were made of black suede. The block heel was incredibly chic and elegant, though it’s no surprise that the Duchess of Edinburgh didn’t fancy keeping these boots on for hockey.
She generally didn’t change the rest of her outfit and wore navy tailored trousers, a collarless black Helmut Lang blazer and a black fitted roll-neck jumper. Sophie added a dainty gold necklace and wore a checked Aquascutum lambswool scarf when she first arrived at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow.
(Image credit: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Perhaps because she wanted to avoid this getting in the way, the Duchess removed this when she took to the hockey pitch. The royal spent time with both the women and men’s squads as well as taking part in the session, and she’s been Patron of England Hockey since 2006.
Sophie isn’t the only hockey-loving royal and she’s clearly learnt from past experiences. In 2012, the Princess of Wales took part in a hockey match at St Andrew’s School in Pangbourne whilst still wearing her heeled boots. Although she rose to the challenge magnificently, nowadays trainers are the go-to choice for most sporting engagements.
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