Princess Eugenie steps down as patron of anti-slavery charity

Published: 08 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Princess Eugenie has stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International, the UK-based charity and the world’s oldest human rights organisation. The announcement comes following the release of millions of documents and emails by the US Department of Justice detailing Jeffrey Epstein’s global network of sexual abuse and trafficking, which have cast a shadow over her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Eugenie’s profile has since been removed from the charity’s website, which previously praised her “work across the board with leaders in the fight against modern slavery.”

Anti-Slavery International released a statement expressing gratitude for her support over the past seven years, saying: “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.” There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Eugenie, her sister Princess Beatrice, or their mother Sarah Ferguson in connection with the late convicted sex offender. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied the allegations. Eugenie has not publicly commented on the Epstein files or on claims against her father.

Eugenie has long been a campaigner against modern slavery and human trafficking. She co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective with her friend Julia de Boinville in 2017 and has actively promoted awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and advocacy projects. In the financial year ending 5 April 2025, the charity reportedly spent more than twice as much on salaries (£191,537) compared with its charitable programmes (£97,206), prompting the Charity Commission to raise concerns regarding expenditure and organisational transparency.

Eugenie’s formal association with Anti-Slavery International began on 18 October 2019, on Anti-Slavery Day, when she announced she would serve as the organisation’s patron. Founded in 1839 by abolitionist Thomas Clarkson, Anti-Slavery International has a longstanding legacy in combating slavery and human exploitation globally. Eugenie’s work as patron included public advocacy, attending events, and liaising with policymakers to promote anti-trafficking legislation and support survivors.

The wider controversy surrounding Epstein has indirectly affected Eugenie and her family. Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April last year, alleged that in 2001 she was paid $15,000 (£11,200) to have sexual encounters with Mountbatten-Windsor in the UK. In January, Epstein victims’ lawyer Brad Edwards revealed a second allegation that another woman was allegedly sent to the UK in 2010 for a sexual encounter with the then-Prince Andrew. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all allegations.

The documents released by the US Department of Justice reportedly show that Ferguson maintained contact with Epstein during and after his jail sentence for procuring a minor for prostitution. Emails indicate that Ferguson, along with Eugenie and Beatrice, flew to the United States shortly after Epstein’s release from house arrest in July 2009 and had lunch in Miami with him while he remained a registered sex offender. These revelations have placed Eugenie and Beatrice in the position of potential key witnesses in ongoing inquiries regarding their father’s actions and connections to Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor claimed that on the night Giuffre alleged a sexual encounter in March 2001 he “was at home … with the children,” after having taken Beatrice to a Pizza Express party in Woking that afternoon. Neither Eugenie nor Beatrice has publicly commented on this account, though their potential testimonies may play a significant role in verifying timelines and claims. Despite the controversy surrounding her family, Eugenie’s own charitable efforts remain focused on fighting modern slavery and advocating for vulnerable populations.

The Anti-Slavery Collective and Princess Eugenie have been approached for comment regarding her decision to step down. The charity expressed hope that she will continue to support anti-slavery work in other capacities. Eugenie’s departure as patron does not appear to affect her ongoing campaigns through her own charity, which continues to address the systemic issues of human trafficking and exploitation worldwide.

While Eugenie’s resignation is primarily framed as a personal decision in light of recent revelations, it highlights the complex intersection of public service, royal responsibilities, and external controversies. Observers note that her work in the sector remains widely respected, and her leadership through the Anti-Slavery Collective has helped maintain visibility for issues that remain pressing globally. Charitable organisations in the UK and beyond continue to monitor the impact of such high-profile associations, especially when media scrutiny intersects with sensitive legal and human rights issues.

Eugenie continues her professional work as a director at the art gallery Hauser & Wirth, balancing her public commitments with ongoing charitable engagements. The decision to step down as patron marks the end of a seven-year formal affiliation with Anti-Slavery International but does not diminish her ongoing advocacy for human rights, education, and survivor support.