‘That’s quite strong!’ Sophie Wessex tastes fiery whiskey in Belfast

‘That’s quite strong!’ Spluttering Sophie Wessex is caught off guard as she samples whiskey on a visit to a County Down market with Prince Edward

• Countess of Wessex has joined Prince Edward for engagements in Belfast 
• Couple first visited a leisure centre where they spoke to staff and visitors
• Later they popped into a market where Sophie sampled ‘strong’ whiskey 

By Stephanie Linning For Mailonline

The Countess of Wessex was caught by surprise when she sampled fiery whiskey on a visit to a market in Northern Ireland today. 

Sophie, 56, grimaced and spluttered after taking a sip of the drink on a visit to Elmfield Estate, on the the outskirts of Gilford, Co Down. 

Sophie and her husband Prince Edward met local producers, artisans and customers at its monthly wholefood and wellbeing market. 

Wasn’t expecting that! Sophie, 56, grimaced and spluttered after taking a sip of the drink on a visit to Elmfield Estate, on the the outskirts of Gilford, Co Down

Caught by surprise: The Countess of Wessex needed a moment to recover after the drink 

Gathering herself: Sophie, who was smartly dressed in a dress and camel coat, had to turn around after drinking the whiskey on the visit to the covered market

Their Royal Highnesses learned more about taster wellbeing experiences, offered to members of the public to support wellness.

The couple are carrying out a number of engagements in Northern Ireland and kicked off their visit with a stop at Craigavon’s South Lake Leisure Centre. 

Radiant Sophie looked typically elegant in a patterned dress, which she wore under a brown camel coat. 

The understated royal kept her makeup simple and finished off the look with a delicate pair of earrings. 

Meanwhile Edward wore chinos, a shirt and a grey blazer for the outing.  

Edward and Sophie appeared in excellent spirits as they received a tour of the new multi-use sports and leisure complex, and met staff and users at the state-of-the-art facilities. 

Radiant: Sophie waved to well-wishers as she arrived at the sports centre for the royal visit

In good spirits: Sophie and Edward shared a joke with their host as they stepped out at Craigavon’s South Lake Leisure Centre

Time for a chat: Edward and Sophie received a tour of the new multi-use sports and leisure complex, and met staff and users at the state-of-the-art facilities

Their Royal Highnesses met medical professionals involved in the Covid-19 vaccination programme, which South Lake hosted as a regional centre.

They also learned more about a local social enterprise in the facility which employs staff with learning difficulties.

Next the couple visited Craigmore Trees, supplier of the Centenary Trees for Schools scheme, meeting management and staff. 

Meet and greet: Sophie and Edward spent time chatting to people outside the centre

On the move: Edward chats to athletes at the centre during their whistle stop visit

Their Royal Highnesses heard from local schoolchildren who have selected a tree to mark the NI Centenary. 

Following the stop at the market, the couple headed to Lisburn Museum where they toured the award-winning ‘Flax to Fabric’ exhibition, tracing the history of linen production in Ulster, and viewed live spinning demonstrations. 

They also had the opportunity to view the design and watch the museum’s handloom weaver weaving a damask linen napkin commissioned to mark the granting of Royal status to nearby Hillsborough Village. 

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