Duchess of Edinburgh named patron of Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team

The Duchess of Edinburgh has been appointed as the Royal Patron of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). To mark the appointment, she visited The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, where she observed training sessions and engaged with athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

During the visit, the Duchess participated in activities on the artificial slopes and practiced target shooting with a laser rifle. She met with several service personnel and veterans, including double-amputee snowboarder Darren Swift and sit-skier Andrew Haugen, to discuss how adaptive snowsports aid in rehabilitation and community building.

The AFPST supports wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans through adaptive skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic disciplines. The Duchess was briefed on upcoming initiatives, such as Project Vidda, an unsupported Arctic expedition across the Norwegian Vidda plateau by amputee veterans, and Project Volya, which involves training instructors and veterans in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine.