Duchess Sophie Sails the Seas—But It’s Her Nautical “Rope” Shoes That Caught Our Eye

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It’s true that many a royal (ahem, King Charles, Kate, Camilla) are on vacation at Balmoral Castle right now, but Duchess Sophie has been out and about—bopping from Paris to Wembley to...the high seas? Yes, that’s the latest location where the Duchess of Edinburgh has turned up and, just when we couldn’t get enough of the espadrille platforms from Tom’s she sported last week, Sophie appeared wearing yet another style from the iconic (and impactful) brand: Their Alpargata Rope 2.0 shoes ($60) in white.

Tom’s

Let’s first acknowledge the fact that the aesthetic is pitch perfect for a boat ride. The slip-on shoe is made from canvas, but features a jute-wrapped midsole that is nautical fashion at it’s best. (It also includes a removable insole—a Tom’s signature—that puts comfort and support at a priority.) Paired with a golf shirt and shorts, not to mention a lightweight jacket and sporty Paris Olympics 2024 hat, Sophie is dressed for the task at hand—sailing!—while maintaining her easy and practical style at the same time.

Aaron Chown/Getty Images

About her voyage: Given she’s patron of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), Sophie took to the water in Guernsey to participate in the Guernsey to Poole Small Ships race . This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the competition sees young people (ages 14 to 25) racing across the channel in different boats.

The Duchess of Edinburgh took a hands-on approach, sailing aboard The Prolific, a vessel owned by the Ocean Youth Trust South, and looking every bit the seasoned sailor—even wearing a life jacket to complete her royal look.

As for her rope shoes, they seem like the perfect footwear to keep the 59-year-old duchess steady on her feet, whether she’s on land or at sea. (Now, just think how cute they’d look with a dress.)

Buckingham Palace Releases New Duchess Sophie Video (and She Is Serving Major Sailor Vibes)