Princess Eugenie's Anti-Slavery Charity Falls Silent Amid Epstein Scandal and Father's Arrest
The Anti-Slavery Collective, a prominent charity co-founded by Princess Eugenie to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, has abruptly gone quiet in recent weeks. This silence coincides with the fallout from the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files in the United States and the arrest of her father, Prince Andrew.
Charity's Sudden Cessation of Activity
Founded in 2017 by Princess Eugenie and her childhood friend Julia de Boinville, The Anti-Slavery Collective has been an active voice in raising awareness about slavery victims. Eugenie, 35, frequently promoted the charity on her personal Instagram account and hosted a podcast series on the issue featuring guests like former Prime Minister Theresa May. Just two years ago, the organization held a glamorous fundraising gala attended by Eugenie's mother Sarah Ferguson, sister Princess Beatrice, and cousin Zara Tindall.
However, since late January, the charity has stopped all Instagram posts, with its last update on January 20—just days before the Epstein files were publicly released. Previously, the account had been posting regularly. The charity's chief executive last mentioned the organization on LinkedIn on January 25, discussing a fake fashion campaign, again shortly before the files emerged.
Epstein Files Implicate Eugenie's Family
At the end of last month, newly released documents related to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein named Princess Eugenie, along with her mother and sister. The files suggest that Eugenie, her mother Sarah Ferguson, and sister Princess Beatrice visited Epstein shortly after his release from jail when Eugenie was 19 years old. Additionally, emails hinted that Eugenie had been asked to give tours of Buckingham Palace to Epstein's contacts. There is no indication of any wrongdoing by Ferguson or her daughters.
Royal expert Jennie Bond commented on the complexity of the situation, stating, "For Eugenie, things are even more complicated because she is such an ardent campaigner against slavery. And yet her father has been involved with a man who trafficked sex slaves—and Andrew has not apologised to those women. I imagine she feels her own integrity is at stake."
Press Blackout and Family Turmoil
The Times reported that the charity has not responded to multiple press inquiries in recent weeks, marking a significant departure from its previous engagement. This media blackout aligns with the personal challenges facing the royal family.
Princess Eugenie was recently spotted for the first time since her father's arrest, buying coffee with her husband Jack Brooksbank in London's Notting Hill. She had been on a skiing holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland, with her family during the arrest. A fellow diner at Restaurant Waldmatte in Gstaad noted, "I was surprised to see her because I thought she would be keeping a low-profile in light of everything that has been going on."
Royal sources indicate that both Eugenie and her older sister Princess Beatrice are "in a state" over their father's arrest and the ongoing allegations from the Epstein files. While the princesses have not made public statements, they are privately trying to "put a brave face on it."
The combination of the Epstein scandal's revelations and Prince Andrew's legal troubles has placed Princess Eugenie in a difficult position, potentially impacting her charity's operations and public profile as she navigates these personal and professional challenges.
