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Princess Eugenie ends seven-year role with Anti-Slavery International
Princess Eugenie has resigned as patron of the UK-based charity Anti-Slavery International after holding the position for seven years, the organisation confirmed in a statement.
No reason given for departure
The charity did not disclose why the princess decided to leave, but her exit follows the recent release of documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, which have intensified scrutiny of her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over his ties to the late convicted sex offender.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles in 2023, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Charity Commission examines separate anti-slavery group
Eugenie's departure coincides with an ongoing review by the Charity Commission into The Anti-Slavery Collective, a separate organisation she co-founded in 2017. The watchdog is assessing concerns about the charity's financial management after reports highlighted discrepancies in its spending.
Accounts for the year ending April 2025 showed the collective raised £48,000 in donations but spent £191,537 on salaries-double its expenditure on charitable programmes. A previous financial report revealed £1.5 million in donations, with £1.3 million carried forward.
"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."
Charity Commission spokesperson
Epstein files cast shadow over royal family
Documents released by the US Department of Justice in January included references to Eugenie, her sister Princess Beatrice, and their mother, Sarah Ferguson. The files contained emails and photographs, including one showing Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a fully clothed woman on the floor.
Another email suggested Ferguson and her daughters had lunch with Epstein in Miami shortly after his release from prison in 2008. The princesses have not publicly addressed the files, and there is no evidence of wrongdoing on their part.
Anti-Slavery International responds
In a statement, Anti-Slavery International thanked Eugenie for her support but confirmed the patronage had ended. The 180-year-old charity focuses on combating modern slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking.
"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."
Anti-Slavery International
Mountbatten-Windsor faces legal scrutiny
In February, the former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after Thames Valley Police investigated allegations he shared confidential material with Epstein. He was released under investigation pending further inquiries.
Epstein, a financier convicted of sex trafficking, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on additional charges.