The Duchess of Edinburgh has arrived in Canada as part of an official royal visit and was present for the start of a special military competition.

Over the weekend (Saturday 4 November) the Duchess arrived in Canada and one of the first stops she made was to Lake Street Armoury, where The Countess of Wessex Cup contest was taking place.

Sophie's former title before she became the Duchess of Edinburgh was the Countess of Wessex.

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"The annual competition, which involves a variety of military skills including navigation, observation, open water rescue, and obstacle courses, aims to develop bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between the regiments," a post on the Royal Family's social media explained.

For the occasion, The Duchess was dressed in military camouflage and was seen chatting to soldiers before posing with the winners alongside the cup at the end of the event.

"The Duchess watched her military affiliations compete in a series of physical and mental challenges for The Countess of Wessex Cup, which was set up in 2012," the post added. "This year’s contest was hosted by 2022 winners, the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, of which HRH has been Colonel in Chief since 2004."

Back in February, while stile the Countess of Wessex, Sophie was again present for the annual competition between five military regiments, for the cup in her name.

Photographs shared to the official instagram account of the Royal Family showed the Countess observing teams as they completed their challenges. From the images, challenges appear to include obstacle courses and building rafts, among other activities.

countess of wessex cup
Max Mumby/Indigo

In one photograph, Sophie watches as teams strap barrels to wooden structures, while in another she can be seen smiling as she chats with military personnel. She can even be seen getting involved with activities herself, as she has a go at some shooting.

For the visit, the Countess certainly looked the part, once again wearing a camouflage army jacket, natural makeup and tied-back hair in a low pony, with a subtle pair of hooped earrings.