Princess Eugenie has stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest human rights organization, following the release of documents linking her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes as scrutiny intensifies over the Duke of York’s past associations and allegations of misconduct.
Eugenie’s seven-year patronage of the London-based charity ended with her profile removed from their website, a change confirmed by Anti-Slavery International. The organization acknowledged her contributions, stating they “thank the Princess particularly much for her support” and expressed hope she would “continue to work to end slavery.” This decision underscores the growing fallout from the Epstein scandal and its impact on the British royal family.
The timing of Eugenie’s departure coincides with the release of millions of pages of court documents related to a lawsuit against Epstein, revealing extensive details about his network and alleged abuse. Whereas there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Princess Eugenie, her older sister Princess Beatrice, or their mother, Sarah Ferguson, the revelations have brought renewed attention to their father’s relationship with Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied allegations of sexual abuse. However, the released documents have fueled public and media scrutiny, prompting a reassessment of his connections and associations. He was arrested in February 2025 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, related to allegedly passing confidential trade documents to Epstein, according to The Mirror.
Eugenie’s Commitment to Anti-Slavery Work
Despite stepping down from her role with Anti-Slavery International, Princess Eugenie remains involved in the fight against modern slavery. She co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017 with her friend Julia de Boinville, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and preventing human trafficking. However, the charity’s spending has faced scrutiny, with a report showing that in the year ending April 5, 2025, it spent £191,537 on salaries, more than twice the £97,206 allocated to charitable programs, leading to questions from the Charity Commission, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Eugenie publicly announced her patronage of Anti-Slavery International on October 18, 2019, Anti-Slavery Day, highlighting her long-standing commitment to the cause. The charity, founded in 1839 by Thomas Clarkson, a key figure in the abolitionist movement, focuses on eradicating modern slavery, which affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide.
Broader Family Connections and Allegations
The Epstein scandal has cast a long shadow over the royal family. Virginia Giuffre, who died in April of last year, alleged she was paid $15,000 (£11,200) for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor during a trip to the UK in 2001. Mountbatten-Windsor maintains his innocence. A lawyer representing other Epstein victims, Brad Edwards, revealed in January that a second woman had too alleged a sexual encounter with the Duke of York in 2010, though he also denies any wrongdoing, according to Page Six.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Eugenie’s mother, also had a friendship with Epstein and exchanged correspondence with him while he was incarcerated for procuring a minor for prostitution. Emails revealed that Ferguson and her daughters traveled to the United States shortly after Epstein’s release from jail in July 2009 and met with him in Miami, despite his status as a registered sex offender.
Both Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are considered potential witnesses in their father’s defense regarding his connections to Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has claimed he was at home with his daughters on the night he allegedly met with Giuffre, having taken Beatrice to a party at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking. Neither sister has publicly commented on this account.
Representatives for the Anti-Slavery Collective and Princess Eugenie have been contacted for comment.
The situation remains fluid as investigations continue and further details emerge. The implications of the Epstein scandal for the royal family and its members are likely to unfold in the coming months. What comes next will depend on the ongoing legal proceedings and any further revelations regarding the Duke of York’s associations.
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