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British RoyalsThe Yorks

Princess Eugenie hosts UN meeting on ending modern slavery

Princess Eugenie travelled to New York this week to host a meeting of key stakeholders in the fight to end modern slavery. The meeting at the United Nations’ world headquarters in Manhattan focused on the global problem which affects over 40 million people around the world every day according to the Global Slavery Index.

The fight to end human trafficking has long been an important issue for the princess and she became a formal champion of the cause following a 2013 trip to India with her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, which included a visit to charity Women’s Interlink. After meeting with survivors of human trafficking the princess said the reality of Modern slavery is: “so shocking. [Modern slavery is] on our own doorstep when you think it is a million miles away.”

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“I was completely astounded by the victims. These people were strong, happy… these girls really showed me how to grab life and appreciate things. If they can do it, after what they’ve been through, it’s a huge lesson for people to learn. They are courageous, and everyone who works within modern slavery and who tries to fight for people who don’t have a voice, are courageous.”

Following the 2013 trip Princess Eugenie became involved with organisations such as the Salvation Army to help shine light on an issue which she said “is never really talked about”. She also said that: “I think raising awareness is such a huge part of modern slavery because no one knows it’s going on as much as it is. There are more slaves now than there were in William Wilberforce’s time and I think it’s such a huge problem, but everyone can do their part to try and effect change.”

In April this year Princess Eugenie and Julia de Boinville joined forces to launch the Anti-Slavery Collective, which aims to end modern slavery. Launching the project at the Change Makers Summit in London, Princess Eugenie said: “We will be starting an Anti-Slavery Collective which is all about raising awareness of global slavery. Creating a platform where everyone works together, shares data and incredible stories.”