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British RoyalsThe Yorks

Princess Eugenie and Sarah, Duchess of York attend Street Child’s tea for International Day of the Girl

It was a mother-daughter day out for Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie as they attended an afternoon tea for a cause at Claridge’s Thursday. The event was held by charity Street Child to mark International Day of the Girl and also to kick off Street Child’s 5th UK Aid Match appeal.

Sarah, Duchess of York’s organisation Children in Crisis merged with Street Child in 2018, with the Duchess taking on the role of founder patron. Her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice serve as global ambassadors for the charity. Street Child supports children in some of the world’s toughest places, focusing on getting them into education. 

According to the charity, 61 million girls around the world are out of school at primary and lower-secondary levels due to poverty, gender norms and lack of schools and learning resources. Street Child puts a special emphasis on opportunities for these girls to get an education.

Photo Courtesy of Street Child

The event was held as part of Street Child’s 5th UK Aid Match appeal which urges the British public to ‘Mind The Gap.’ Until 4th January 2020, all donations to Street Child’s appeal will be doubled by the UK government. A donation of just £15, doubled to £30 by UK Aid Match, covers the school fees, uniform and learning materials for a child, meaning one more girl can go to school.

During the tea, Sarah, Duchess of York “chaired a panel of inspirational speakers who tackled issues that face women and girls across the world today such as the fact that every year 12 million girls are married before their 18th birthday, limiting their chances of gaining an education,” Street Child said. 

Other famous names at the mother and daughter-themed afternoon tea included Jo Malone, Rachel Riley, Joan Collins, Saira Khan, and Binky Felstead.

Sarah, Duchess of York, Street Child patron said: “64 million girls globally don’t go to school and are being left behind.  We need you to help us close the gap! Thanks to UK Aid Match all public donations made before 4th January to Street Child’s ‘Mind The Gap’ campaign will be doubled by the UK government so a donation of £15 will be doubled to £30 which will cover the school fees, uniform and learning materials for a girl.”

Street Child’s Director of Fundraising, Chloe Brett, commented: “I am delighted to welcome so many amazing women to this event marking International Day of the Girl. We really want to grow awareness of the challenges facing girls and how education is the most effective way of lifting their family, their community and their country out of poverty for good.  The women in this room have the power to really make a difference to some of the poorest and most vulnerable children around the world.”

About author

Kristin was Chief Reporter for Royal Central until 2022 and has been following the British royal family for more than 30 years. Kristin has appeared in UK and U.S. media outlets discussing the British royals including BBC Breakfast, BBC World News, Sky News, the Associated Press, TIME, The Washington Post, and many others.