Pregnant Princess Eugenie sends Christmas message as she praises those working to end modern slavery
Watch: Pregnant Princess Eugenie sends Christmas message from her collective
Princess Eugenie has sent a message from her charity collective as she prepares to move into her cousin Prince Harry’s Windsor home, before Christmas.
Eugenie, who is pregnant with her first child with husband Jack Brooksbank, shared a video message on Thursday 3 December via the Anti Slavery Collective, which she co-founded.
She took the opportunity to thank some of the organisations helping the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 30-year-old said: “I had the great privilege of visiting both the Salvation Army food distribution hub and a safe house this year, where I got to see their incredible staff in action.
“In response to COVID-19, Salvation Army staff have been working tirelessly to help people in need. That includes rolling out one of the largest food distribution centres in their history.”
She explained how Salvation Army staff are trained to spot potential victims of modern slavery too, and added: “Thanks to their efforts, numerous vulnerable people have been rescued and are in safe houses, just like the one we visited in October, receiving the care and support they so vitally need.
“Thank you to everyone at the Salvation Army for all their work this year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Read more: Here's what a royal Christmas at Windsor used to look like
The message was played during the Salvation Army’s virtual carol service, which also featured readings from Dame Judi Dench and Lee Mead.
It’s not clear where the video was filmed, but Eugenie and Jack are moving from their London home to Frogmore Cottage, the Windsor home Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given by the Queen when they got married in 2018.
It’s closer to Eugenie’s parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, who live in the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate.
The Queen is also living in Windsor at the moment, having spent most of the year at Windsor Castle because of the pandemic.
The background of Eugenie’s video didn’t give much away, but there was a brightly coloured cushion just in shot.
Read more: Why Princess Eugenie and husband Jack will want to live in Harry and Meghan's home
In May, Eugenie and Jack spent time at the Salvation Army’s food distribution hub, where they helped pack boxes with essentials for those impacted by the pandemic.
The Anti-Slavery Collective was formed in 2017 by Eugenie and Julia de Boinville, who met at school. They formed the group after visiting India and realising the extent to which slavery exists in the modern age.
It’s not a charity itself but says it is “all about convening people, connecting people and highlighting the incredible work that is being done in this space”.
The collective raises “awareness of modern slavery as a global epidemic” and tries to push for collaboration to tackle the issue.
Watch: Prince Harry and Meghan move out of UK home for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
