Brolly hockey sticks! Sophie Wessex dons her favourite Prada leather jacket to brave the rain as she visits the National Sports Centre

The Countess of Wessex visited the Women's Hockey HQ in Marlow today
Despite the rain, Sophie eschewed waterproofs in favour of a leather jacket
The black Prada jacket is a favourite, and often teamed with a merino-wool skirt.
The 52-year-old was recently named as the patron of the National Sports Centre

Published: 12:32 GMT, 1 February 2017 | Updated: 20:28 GMT, 1 February 2017

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If the Countess of Wessex had been asked to hit a ball for a royal photo opportunity, rain would have stopped play.

Fortunately, Sophie wasn't required to participate in any stick-bashing today, merely to admire the facilities at the National Sports Centre in Bisham Abbey, Buckinghamshire.

Despite the inclement conditions, the 52-year-old royal managed to still look casually stylish in a Prada black leather jacket, ankle-skimming merino-wool skirt by Gabriela Hearst and a colourful tartan scarf.

The Countess of Wessex (third from right) at the National Sports Centre in Marlow today; the royal met with young England hockey players including from left, Emily Defroand, Suzy Petty, Kathryn Lane, Luke Taylor and Liam Ansell

The 52-year-old royal donned a familiar Prada leather jacket and merino wool long skirt for the sporting duty

Right royal rain: Sophie stepped through puddles as she arrived at the Bisham Abbey centre

Make it a midi in Sophie's skirt by Gabriela Hearst

Gabriela Hearst flared midi skirt

Available at Farfetch!

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The Countess of Wessex has really been giving the Duchess of Cambridge a run for her money when it comes to style recently.

She's got designer labels like Emilia Wickstead, Emilio Pucci, Peter Pilotto, Proenza Schouler and Alexander McQueen in her wardrobe so she clearly knows her stuff.

And check out the sophisticated ensemble she wore to visit a sports centre today! Her leather jacket is by Prada, but the chic midi skirt really caught our attention. It's by Gabriela Hearst, a label whose A-list fans include Emma Watson, Taylor Swift and Hailey Baldwin. We love the knitted fabric and flattering flared shape of this skirt, which you can get your hands on by clicking the link (right) now through to Farfetch.

It's a winter wardrobe staple and can be worn with everything from a white shirt and court heels for evening, or knee high boots and a cosy cashmere jumper for day.

Alternatively, if you fancy recreating Sophie's style on a budget, our edit below is the place to go.

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The royal, who is a patron for English hockey, having played the game in her youth, finished off the look with a pair of knee-high black suede boots and a smart leather handbag with tassle detail.

It's an outfit that the royal is clearly fond of, she teamed the same jacket and skirt together at an event in Rochester, Kent, back in November.

The countess was met by England Hockey Chief Executive Sally Munday and Commercial and Membership Director Jon Cockcroft, who took the royal on a tour of the centre of excellence.

Sophie was greeted at the centre of excellence by the Chief Executive of England Hockey, Sally Munday, far left, and Commercial and Membership Director Jon Cockcroft

They did it! Munday and Sophie Wessex admire a photo of the gold medal-winning women's hockey team, who triumphed in Rio last summer

The centre of excellence plays a huge role in the success of the English hockey teams, something that reaped rewards for the women's squad in Rio last year, when they snatched the gold medal from the the Dutch in a thrilling final.

Ahead of the tense match last year, Sophie sent a good luck message to the squad, saying: 'Hi girls, well done, congratulations you're in the final. This is everything that you've worked for. It's fantastic and I'm so proud of you.'

The Countess enjoys a joke with the young hockey players, wearing team colours, as they discuss the prospect of more hockey medals in Tokyo in 2020

Sophie listens intently as the hockey players share their stories of training. The Countess, who wore her hair loosely, looked captivated

She's made the team! Sophie poses for a photograph with young players

Shame about the weather! The Countess have been tempted to knock a ball around but the weather had other ideas

Sophie signed the visitors' book in the County Show offices at the Westpoint arena, right, where she was presented with a bunch of brightly-coloured helium balloons

Earlier this month, the royal celebrated her 52nd birthday while attending a function at the County Show offices at the Westpoint arena in Exeter.

She was greeted with a birthday cake complete with sparklers and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.