Princess Eugenie Reveals the Eye-Opening Moment That Transformed Her Life and Mission: 'I Will Never Forget' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Princess Eugenie at the American Ambassador’s residence in London on April 11, 2024.Photo:Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

Princess Eugenieis on a determined mission to end modern slavery.

Her journey began with a life-changing trip to India alongside her mother,Sarah Ferguson, and best friend, Julia de Boinville. The visit sparked a realization that would redefine Eugenie’s working life forever, ultimately leading her to co-foundThe Anti-Slavery Collective, a nonprofit organization that works to end modern slavery and human trafficking.

“My Mum took Julia and I to India when we were 21. In Calcutta, we met Aloka Mitra, who has led programs supporting vulnerable women and children in India for over 35 years and is one of the most inspirational women I have ever met,” Princess Eugenie, 34, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“Aloka introduced us to a group of teenage girls she had rescued from modern slavery. Hearing their harrowing stories of abuse, neglect and exploitation was heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring,” Eugenie, granddaughter of the lateQueen Elizabeth, recalls. “I felt that if this group of young women had the strength and resilience to reclaim their lives, that we also had a responsibility to do something.”

Princess Eugenie and Julie de Boinville in India in 2017.HRH Princess Eugenie and Julia de Boinville

HRH Princess Eugenie and Julia de Boinville

It was after this moment of epiphany that Eugenie — the youngest daughter of Ferguson andPrince Andrew— and de Boinville felt compelled to take action and find ways they could personally drive change.

“Jules and I spent several years learning more, doing our research and meeting with experts, and in 2017 we set up The Anti-Slavery Collective. All these years later, I will never forget those young women; their stories continue to inspire me to this day.”

Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie with Aloka Mitra, founder of the Women’s Interlink Foundation on their visit to India in 2017.HRH Princess Eugenie and Julia de Boinville

Eugenie shared her personal story with PEOPLE to highlightMy Epiphany, The Anti-Slavery Collective’s powerful series of short films now featured on the charity’s website and social media channels. Running through December,My Epiphanyshowcases deeply personal stories from journalists, activists, CEOs, and former police officers—all united in the fight against modern slavery.

Thelatest video, released this week, features Brandon Daniels, CEO ofExiger, a tech company that uses AI to find instances of modern slavery and help organizations root it out of their supply chains.

De Boinville, co-founder of The Anti-Slavery Collective, tells PEOPLE that there have been “many unforgettable moments” that have personally impacted her.

“After we came back from India we wanted to visit a safe house in the U.K. to understand more about modern slavery happening closer to home,” she says.

Julia de Boinville and Princess Eugenie at The Anti-Slavery Collective’s Winter Gala at the Battersea Arts Centre in London on November 29,2023.Dave Benett/Getty

“In the U.K., you are never more than a mile away from someone who is living in extreme exploitation,” Sarah Woodcock, CEO of The Anti-Slavery Collective, says.

“It is often surprising to people that the U.S. and the U.K. are source, transit and destination countries for trafficked men, women and children," she adds. “One in every 150 people living in the world today are trapped in modern slavery — it’s a shocking statistic.”

Woodcock reflects on the issue of child exploitation in modern slavery, saying: “Globally it is estimated that one in four victims of modern slavery are children.”

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source: people.com