York night out! Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson radiate glamor in black dresses as they join Eugenie for her anti-slavery charity’s first ever Winter Gala
Princess Eugenie was joined by her mother Sarah Ferguson and older sister Princess Beatrice as she hosted her charity’s opening gala this evening.
The royal, 33, was also joined by her friend Julia de Boinville, with whom she founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017.
Through the charity, the pair have worked across various sectors to end modern slavery and also launched their podcast Floodlight, where they interview guests about how best to end the practice around the world.
This evening, Eugenie, Fergie, 62, and Beatrice, 35, brought a touch of glamor and royalty to Battersea Arts Center in South London, where The Anti Slavery Collective’s Winter Gala was held – and a few famous faces joined them too On.
Singer Ed Sheeran was among the guests at the glitzy event, as well as Idris Elba and James Blunt – and even Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas made an appearance.
The York ladies looked chic in black dresses as they attended the Anti Slavery Collective’s opening winter gala at Battersea Arts Center in South London this evening
Eugenie’s cousin, Zara Tindall, and former British Prime Minister Theresa May (who guested in series two of Floodlight) were also among the guests.
The York trio oozed elegance in black dresses as they smiled side by side, with Beatrice wearing a self-portrait dress with jacket details, while Eugenie opted for a satin effect dress with a slit in the skirt and pleats at the waist, plus a gold button. detailing.
Speaking ahead of the event at Battersea Arts Centre, Eugenie, 33, praised Ed Sheeran for his involvement, saying: ‘It’s the most insane thing. Ed is a game changer and a generational entertainer, so I absolutely can’t get over him coming.
“He’s also one of the nicest people, so I’m really honored and really grateful to have him here and helping us with the mission of The Anti-Slavery Collective.”
Eugenie was accompanied by her friend Julia de Boinville, with whom she co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017
Guests at the ball included Sofia Blunt (left) and singer Ed Sheeran, who described Eugenie as a ‘game changer’.
Eugenie, the Duke and Duchess of York’s second child, said she was motivated to set up the charity, which aims to end modern slavery through the humanitarian work of her mother, Sarah Ferguson.
“My mother does a lot of charity work and has always raised my sister and I to give back,” Princess Eugenie said.
The Royal, who now lives in Portugal with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their two sons, said a trip to Calcutta with her mother and Julia in 2012 sowed the seeds of the Anti-Slavery Collective.
“We went to Calcutta to visit Aloka Mitra, who founded the Women’s Interlink Foundation,” she recalls.
“Aloka is an amazing woman who has rescued girls from the streets, housed them and taught them how to print on fabric.
Princess Beatrice was accompanied on the occasion by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Beatrice and Edo were the perfect couple in monochrome outfits, while the princess opted for all black, while her property developer husband chose a smart white tuxedo jacket
Also present at the event was Princess Eugenie’s cousin Zara Tindall (right) and close family friend Natalie Pinkham
Mother-of-three Zara looked sensational in a black tie-belt shirt dress with statement sleeves and wore her blonde locks updo
The royal cousins looked elegant in their floor-length black dresses as they arrived at the Winter Gala
Former British Prime Minister Theresa May (center) accompanied Julia de Boinville and Princess Eugenie at the Gala
The ex-Prime Minister, who still works in politics as MP for Maidenhead, appeared in the first episode of series two of Floodlight
The royal mother of two, 33, oozed elegance in a long-sleeved black gown with a slit in the skirt and pleats at the waist, with gold button detailing
The York women looked alike as they stood side by side, with Fergie and Beatrice coming out to support Eugenie.
While Eugenie looked sharp in black, Julia opted for a dazzling emerald green dress with sequins and a bardot neckline
Cressida Bonas, an ex-girlfriend of Prince Harry who is now married to real estate investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley, joined the royal sisters
‘On that trip to India, Jules and I were so shocked by what we had discovered about modern slavery. When we returned to Britain we learned as much as we could about it, meeting anyone who would listen to us, visiting safe houses and speaking to survivors.’
The charity’s mission is to raise awareness of the 50 million people around the world currently trapped in modern slavery.
‘I was 21 when I first heard about modern slavery. I don’t want people to reach the same age without being educated about reality,” the Royal said.
The Princess also paid tribute to a slavery survivor from Manchester, who played a crucial role in setting up the charity in 2017.
‘One survivor who has been an inspiration to our charity was born and raised in Manchester and trafficked into a local gang by her neighbour.
‘She was instrumental in setting up The Collective and we always ask her what she thinks… This is an example of modern slavery happening everywhere, even here in Britain.’
She urged every Briton to do their part in the war against modern slavery.
‘A victim can walk among you, but receive an unfair wage or be forced to work within an inch of his life, perhaps in the construction sector, a nail salon or at a car wash.
‘Everyone needs to open their eyes to what can happen around them.’
Sheeran had an infamous encounter with Princess Eugenie’s sister, Princess Beatrice, who accidentally slit his cheek with a ceremonial sword while jokingly ‘knighting’ James Blunt at a dinner party in 2016.
The musician always refused to name the Royal, but his manager, Stuart Camp, eventually confirmed that it was the Princess who had wielded the sword, calling her an “idiot.”
But it seems Sheeran has put all that behind him as he prepares to lend his star power to Princess Eugenie’s charity in London tonight.