Princess Eugenie is passionately committed to combating modern slavery, a mission that took root during a transformative trip to India with her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and her best friend, Julia de Boinville.
This pivotal experience ignited her desire to make a difference in the world, ultimately leading her to co-establish The Anti-Slavery Collective, an organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking.
Reflecting on that life-altering journey, Princess Eugenie shared, “My Mum took Julia and me to India when we were 21.
In Calcutta, we encountered Aloka Mitra, a remarkable woman who has devoted over three decades to empowering vulnerable women and children.” Her admiration for Aloka runs deep, as she describes meeting young girls saved from the horrors of modern slavery.
Their heart-wrenching tales of suffering and survival left a lasting impact on Eugenie, prompting her to consider the responsibility that comes with privilege.
“This group of strong young women showed incredible resilience in reclaiming their lives,” Eugenie recounted.
“Their courage inspired me to realize that it was our duty to act.” This eye-opening revelation spurred both Eugenie and de Boinville into action, compelling them to seek solutions and drive meaningful change.
Following their return from India, the duo immersed themselves in research and conversations with experts.
By 2017, they successfully launched The Anti-Slavery Collective, a testament to their commitment.
Even now, Eugenie recalls those young women fondly, asserting that their stories continue to motivate her work.
In a recent exclusive with PEOPLE, Eugenie highlighted “My Epiphany,” a compelling series of short films produced by The Anti-Slavery Collective.
This initiative aims to share personal narratives from various advocates—including journalists, activists, and former police officers—who are all dedicated to fighting modern slavery.
The series, which runs through December, features poignant accounts that shed light on this pressing issue.
The series kicked off with British journalist Julie Etchingham recounting a deeply moving encounter with a Nigerian woman trafficked to the U.K. and forced into s=x work.
The scars on the woman’s arms serve as haunting reminders of her traumatic past, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and action.
Julia de Boinville, who co-founded the charity alongside Eugenie, emphasized that there have been numerous unforgettable experiences throughout their journey.
“After returning from India, we wanted to visit a safe house in the U.K. to gain insight into modern slavery within our own borders,” she explained.
During one such visit in 2017, they met Seema, a survivor who had been sold to a gang as a child.
Despite her harrowing past, Seema expressed a desire to become a social worker to help others.
De Boinville described this instinct to assist others as truly remarkable, showcasing the strength of survivors.
The Anti-Slavery Collective focuses not only on raising awareness but also on providing education in schools and communities.
They aim to contribute to the United Nations’ goal of ending modern slavery globally by 2030.
The statistics surrounding this issue are staggering, with Sarah Woodcock, CEO of the organization, noting that in the U.K., individuals living in extreme exploitation are often just a mile away from anyone else.
Woodcock further highlighted the misconception that modern slavery is a distant problem, explaining that both the U.S. and U.K. serve multiple roles in the trafficking cycle.
“One out of every 150 people worldwide is trapped in modern slavery,” she pointed out, a shocking statistic that underscores the scale of the crisis.
She also addressed the alarming prevalence of child exploitation, emphasizing that children make up an estimated one in four victims of modern slavery.
As a parent, Woodcock finds the realities of these issues particularly harrowing, driven by her children’s innate sense of justice and their reactions to such difficult topics.
Princess Eugenie’s efforts have garnered support from family members like her sister, Princess Beatrice, and her mother, Sarah Ferguson.
They recently organized a successful gala event, the inaugural Force of Freedom, at London’s Battersea Arts Centre, raising over $1 million for the cause.
Through their ongoing initiatives, Princess Eugenie and her team continue to shine a light on modern slavery, determined to foster change in a world that urgently needs it.
Their relentless pursuit of justice exemplifies how personal experiences can ignite powerful movements for social good.
