Princess Eugenie is stepping down from the U.K.-based charity, Anti-Slavery International, after seven years as a patron

United Nations, New York, USA, July 26, 2018 - Princess Eugenie of York speak about her work as Director of the Anti-Slavery Collective During the NEXUS Meeting today at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

Princess Eugenie.Credit : Luiz Rampelotto/NurPhoto via Getty

 

Princess Eugenie is stepping down from her role with an anti-slavery charity.

The daughter of ex-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson spent seven years as a patron of Anti-Slavery International. On Sunday, March 8, UK-based newspaper The Observer reported that she will no longer be fulfilling her role on behalf of the world’s oldest human rights organization.

The charity said in a statement to the outlet, “After seven years, our patronage from HRH Princess Eugenie of York has come to an end. 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.”

Eugenie, 35, was announced as a patron of the charity, founded by English abolitionist, Thomas Clarkson in 1839, in October 2019. The Anti-Slavery International website no longer shows Eugenie’s profile, following the news of her departure, per The Observer.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York attend The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre on November 29, 2023 in London, England

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie at The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala in 2023.Dave Benett/Getty

The revelation that Eugenie will no longer be working with the charity comes amid an ongoing scandal over her 66-year-old father’s connection to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with Epstein on Feb. 19. He has denied any wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein.

Princess Eugenie, her sister Princess Beatrice and mother Sarah Ferguson — who all were mentioned along with Andrew in the last batch of Epstein files released in January — have not yet commented on the former prince’s arrest.

Sources previously told PEOPLE that Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie remain close to their parents, as they consider how much distance and independence they can realistically create from their parents’ fallout, after Andrew’s arrest and their links to the Epstein files.

“They are tarnished by this. It has affected their lives a great deal,” said royal author Ingrid Seward.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York walk about during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at on June 12, 2016 in London, England.

Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and the former Prince Andrew in 2016.Alan Crowhurst/Getty

Earlier this month, PEOPLE revealed that the U.K. Charity Commission is assessing concerns about Princess Eugenie’s separate nonprofit, the Anti-Slavery Collective.

The organization co-founded with Julia de Boinville in 2017 with missions including stopping sexual exploitation, has received questions about spending and disclosures.

In the year ending in April 2025, the charity had an income of £92,311, including more than £48,000 in donations, and a total expenditure of £301,024, which mainly went on salaries, The Observer and Daily Mail reported.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said, per the Daily Mail, “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.”

Representatives for Princess Eugenie and Anti-Slavery International did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment.