Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex play archery in Paris visit

They’re currently in the middle of an official three-day trip to France, but it wasn’t all work and no play for Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple tried their hand at archery as they visited INSEP, a training centre for elite athletes on the outskirts of Paris.

The Countess of Wessex, 53, looked like she was taking the sport seriously as she picked up a bow and arrow and aimed for her target.

Her husband the Earl of Wessex, 54, looked equally as enthused as he closed one eye and tried the sport out.

Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex tried their hand at archery as the visited INSEP, a training centre for elite athletes on the outskirts of Paris. Pictured: The Countess of Wessex, 53, picks up a bow and arrow on the visit

The Earl of Wessex, 54, appeared to share a nervous joke with a coach at the centre (pictured) before picking up his bow and arrow at the centre outside Paris on Tuesday

The Earl of Wessex, 54, appeared to share a nervous joke with a coach at the centre (pictured) before picking up his bow and arrow at the centre outside Paris on Tuesday

The royal seemed to be taking the sport seriously as he closed one eye and got into position ready to shoot his arrow at the target (pictured)

The royal seemed to be taking the sport seriously as he closed one eye and got into position ready to shoot his arrow at the target (pictured)

The royal couple are in the city for three days to support the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

Sophie looked chic in a navy blue trench coat, which she wore with a long black dress and matching kitten heels. 

Prince Edward, who is the youngest son of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, cut a dapper figure in a double breasted suit.

Under the careful instruction from one of the coaches, Sophie calmly picked up the bow and arrow and aimed at the target.

The couple are in the city for three days to support the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation. Pictured: Prince Edward takes his bow and arrow ready for his shot

The couple are in the city for three days to support the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. Pictured: Prince Edward takes his bow and arrow ready for his shot

Prince Edward has been travelling the world to promote the initiative since his father retired last year. Pictured: The royal gets ready for a game of archery with a coach outside Paris

Prince Edward has been travelling the world to promote the initiative since his father retired last year. Pictured: The royal gets ready for a game of archery with a coach outside Paris

The Countess looked determined to do well at the sport as she listened carefully to instructions from the coach (pictured) before taking a shot during the outing on Tuesday

The Countess looked determined to do well at the sport as she listened carefully to instructions from the coach (pictured) before taking a shot during the outing on Tuesday

She looked professional as she pulled a straight backed pose while preparing to launch her arrow at the target under the supervision of the coach (pictured) at the French training centre

She looked professional as she pulled a straight backed pose while preparing to launch her arrow at the target under the supervision of the coach (pictured) at the French training centre

Her husband seemed less eager to test out the sporting equipment, and seemed to share a few nervous jokes with the coach before having a go at archery.  

The INSEP centre, or the National Institute of Sport, expertise, and performance, is a teacher training institute that also trains athletes to elite level. 

Later in the afternoon Sophie could be seen testing a Spotting Scope, which magnifies the spot where the arrow lands on the target to accurately award points. 

The couple, who matched in blue outfits, seemed in high spirits and shared a few laughs with the other guests at the event (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon

The couple, who matched in blue outfits, seemed in high spirits and shared a few laughs with the other guests at the event (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon

Sophie looked chic in a navy blue trench coat, which she wore with a long black dress and matching kitten heels. Pictured: Sophie (right) speaks to Ghani Yallouz Director of INSEP (left) at the event

Sophie looked chic in a navy blue trench coat, which she wore with a long black dress and matching kitten heels. Pictured: Sophie (right) speaks to Ghani Yallouz Director of INSEP (left) at the event

She was later seen testing a Spotting Scope (pictured), which magnifies the spot where the arrow lands on the target to accurately award points as they continued the tour of the centre

She was later seen testing a Spotting Scope (pictured), which magnifies the spot where the arrow lands on the target to accurately award points as they continued the tour of the centre

The couple were also pictured with French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and INSEP Director Ghani Yallouz, as the group posed with members of the France Paralympic team. 

The group smiled for the camera as Edward held up a signed jersey for the photograph. 

Yesterday the couple took a trip to the Palace of Versailles before visiting  Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliee, a private dining club, at the Hôtel Perrinet de Jars next to the British Embassy.

They posed for a photograph with with French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and INSEP Director Ghani Yallouz, as the group posed with members of the France Paralympic team (pictured)

They posed for a photograph with with French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and INSEP Director Ghani Yallouz, as the group posed with members of the France Paralympic team (pictured)

At one point they posed with other guests at the event alongside Roxana Maracineanu and Ghani Yallouz, as Sophie held up an arrow

At one point they posed with other guests at the event alongside Roxana Maracineanu and Ghani Yallouz, as Sophie held up an arrow

The pair enjoyed a spot of tennis before taking a tour around the opulent Palace.

Edward is trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and has been travelling the world to promote the initiative, following father Prince Philip’s retirement from official duties last year. 

Last month he visited New York and in April enjoyed a tour of Australia.

Sophie looked deep in conversation as she starred down the lens of a a Spotting Scope, while Mr Yallouz watched close by

Sophie looked deep in conversation as she starred down the lens of a a Spotting Scope, while Mr Yallouz watched close by

The event was held on the second day of the Sophie and Edward's visit to Paris. Pictured: Sophie (right) looks down the lens of a Spotting Scope while Mr Yallouz looks out onto the pitch (left)

The event was held on the second day of the Sophie and Edward’s visit to Paris. Pictured: Sophie (right) looks down the lens of a Spotting Scope while Mr Yallouz looks out onto the pitch (left)

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