Princess Eugenie shares an emotional message about slavery

Princess Eugenie has used her platform to draw attention to an important issue

STANMORE, GREATER LONDON - MARCH 21: Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank during a visit to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to open the new Stanmore Building on March 21, 2019 in Stanmore, Greater London. (Photo by David Mirzoeff - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
(Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie has shared an important message on her charity page, the Anti-Slavery Collective, as she remembers a poignant event.


Princess Eugenie is the co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective that she runs with her friend Julia de Boinville. 

The Anti-Slavery Collective Twitter account shared a poignant message about slavery and an emotional message from Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie.

The post from the collective read, “TODAY we remember the life of abolitionist #WilliamWilberforce, born on this day in 1759.  

"A significant influence on @TASC_org [The Anti-Slavery Collective], HRH Princess Eugenie honored Wilberforce in 2016 by laying a wreath on his grave 💐and attending a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey.”

The post then shared an image of the Princess in 2016, solemnly laying a wreath in memory of William Wilberforce.

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William Wilberforce was a British politician who came to prominence for his work trying to abolish the slave trade and slavery itself in Britain and across the globe.

Sadly, Wilberforce died just a month before Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act. This was an act that Wilberforce worked to achieve during his lifetime which gave all slaves in the British Empire their freedom.

As well as working to end slavery, William Wilberforce helped enact change across Britain for many different people during his lifetime.

He was involved in the Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and worked with charities that aimed to provide all children with regular education in reading, personal hygiene, and religion. 

William WIlberforce

(Image credit: Rischgitz / Stringer / Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie was joined by the Prime Minister at the time, Theresa May, and Amber Rudd at this 2016 event that demonstrated the UK's commitment against modern slavery.

The 2016 service was dedicated to the work of William Wilberforce and who died on 3rd August 1833 and whose burial site is at Westminster Abbey where the event was held. 

Another service for the same dedication was also held in 2019 at the same location and Princess Eugenie wowed in a floral dress with thigh-high split during the royal engagement.

Princess Eugenie

(Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie's collective's mission statement states that their aim is to, "bring change-makers together to raise awareness for modern slavery."

The Princess has often utilized her platform to shine a light on these important topics and has had many opportunities since beginning this organization.

Princess Eugenie is now the patron of Anti-Slavery International. This means that the Princess is now working alongside policymakers to make slavery a thing of the past.

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice even attended an important UN meeting alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2019 to further discuss humanitarian issues.

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.