Princess Eugenie Loses Patronage Role at Anti-Slavery Charity
An anti-slavery charity has erased Princess Eugenie's name from its official website, following the release of millions of emails that exposed her father's connections to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is no longer a patron of Anti-Slavery International, which is recognised as the world's oldest human rights organisation.
End of a Seven-Year Partnership
The charity had previously praised Princess Eugenie's extensive work "across the board with leaders in the fight against modern slavery." However, her profile has now been completely removed after a partnership lasting seven years. The group confirmed this development, stating, "our patronage from HRH Princess Eugenie of York has come to an end," as reported by the Observer.
A formal statement from the charity read: "After seven years, our patronage from HRH Princess Eugenie of York has come to an end. We thank the Princess very much for her support for Anti-Slavery International. We hope that she continues to work to end slavery for good and deliver freedom for everyone."
Princess Eugenie has been a long-time campaigner for the plight of modern slavery and trafficking victims. This move comes amidst ongoing claims that her father, Prince Andrew, sexually abused alleged trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Eugenie, her sister Princess Beatrice, or their mother Sarah Ferguson in connection with the paedophile financier Epstein.
Scrutiny Over Financial Ties and Charity Operations
To date, Princess Eugenie has not publicly commented on either the Epstein files or the allegations against her father. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Eugenie, aged 35, is the co-founder of a separate charity, The Anti-Slavery Collective, which she established with a friend.
Concerns about the princesses' possible financial ties to Epstein have escalated in recent months. The Charity Commission has confirmed it is "assessing concerns" about The Anti-Slavery Collective. Financial figures revealed an income last year of £92,311, including more than £48,000 in donations, but total expenditure of £301,024, with the most significant sum spent on salaries.
A Charity Commission spokesman stated: "We are assessing concerns raised in the media about charitable spending at The Anti-Slavery Collective to determine what role there is, if any, for the Commission." Princess Eugenie had originally announced on October 18, 2019—anti-slavery day—that she would become a patron of Anti-Slavery International. The human rights group states its goal is to end slavery so that "everyone can live free from exploitation."
Royal Family Distancing and Social Implications
Only last week, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were said to have been "completely blindsided" after being informed they could not join the Royal Family at Royal Ascot this year. Sources indicated that the sisters, whose names appear multiple times in the Epstein files, would not take seats in the Royal Box at the prestigious horse-racing event in June, nor could they participate in the Royal Procession with senior royals.
This decision follows high-level Palace meetings regarding the role the pair should play, given that serious questions remain about the extent of their relationship with Epstein. Reports have emerged of a growing divide between the sisters and the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are reportedly keen to keep them at "arm's length" until details of any links become clearer.
A well-placed source told the Mail on Sunday: "I've spoken to my friend who works at Ascot and they said the girls have been told they can't be there this year. Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She's been completely blindsided by all of this." Prince William is also said to have advised other royals not to appear in photographs alongside the pair "for the rest of the year."
However, another source noted there is still "a lot of sympathy for the girls" among the public, who were not "harbouring any bad feelings." This situation highlights the ongoing challenges and scrutiny facing members of the royal family in the wake of the Epstein scandal.
