Duchess of Edinburgh takes the helm for a Guernsey boat race after returning from Paris
The duchess donned an Olympics cap as she sailed in the Channel Islands
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The Duchess of Edinburgh has been spotted making another sporting appearance in the Channel Islands just days after the Olympics came to a close.
Sophie, 59, was seen stepping out in Guernsey as she fulfilled more of her patronage duties on land and sea.
The duchess, in her role as patron of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (Asto), greeted young sailors and jumped aboard as she presided over the start of the Guernsey to Poole Small Ships Race.
The race, in honour of the RNLI's 200th anniversary, saw some 130 youths set sail to cross the English Channel in a flotilla of small boats.
Sophie greeted young sailors and jumped aboard as she presided over the start of the Guernsey to Poole Small Ships Race
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Underneath a lifejacket, Sophie sported an Asto-branded windbreaker and polo shirt
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And Sophie hit the waves on board The Prolific, a vessel in the Ocean Youth Trust South's flotilla, with the duchess taking the wheel to the delight of crowds.
But alongside testing her seafaring capability, the Duchess of Edinburgh showed off her fashion credentials - as well as a nod to her engagements over the last few weeks in Paris.
Underneath a lifejacket, Sophie sported an Asto-branded windbreaker and polo shirt, which she paired with an Anya Hindmarch beach bag and her trademark white Toms espadrilles.
Alongside the duchess's Ray-Ban shades, Sophie's look stood out with a piece of official Paris 2024 Olympics merchandise - a fitting navy blue cap.
READ MORE ON SOPHIE:
The Duchess of Edinburgh showed off her fashion credentials as she greeted canines and crew alike
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Sophie had, as patron of both the British Cycling Federation and GB Hockey, had been pictured watching on at the Games at the start of August.
The duchess had met Team GB hockey stars ahead of crucial knock-out ties - and was even seen wiping away tears as Great Britain's women cyclists stormed to a world-record gold medal.
But it was a quick jump over the waves to Guernsey for her engagements with the young sailors.
Asto members detailed their pride in meeting their patron, with one named Joshua telling the BBC: "She really got involved straight away... I'm honoured to have her on the boat and to show her what the charity does.
Young sailors detailed their pride in meeting their patron
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Sophie took the helm aboard The Prolific
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"Everyone that she chatted to and talked to was amazing, Her Royal Highness was asking us what we do on the boat, what our long term plans were."
Lauren Mackenzie, a crew member on board the aforementioned vessel The Prolific, said it was "very cool" to meet the duchess.
She said: "We took her out, we got sailing, she had a little helm and had a little chat to her which was nice.
"She was steering the boat for a while, doing some of the sail hosts... and getting to know all the people."
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