Princess Eugenie led the glamour on a very star-studded night out in London on Wednesday as she was joined by her mother Sarah Ferguson and sister Princess Beatrice for her charity’s inaugural gala at the Battersea Arts Centre in south London.
Perhaps one of the best connected royals, Eugenie, 33, was joined by a flurry of A-list stars, including Ed Sheeran and James Blunt.
Looking stunning in a black satin dress with a thigh-high split, by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, the royal was also joined by dozens of high society pals including cousin Zara Tindall, Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas, TV presenter Natalie Pinkham and former Prime Minster Theresa May.
Both the York sisters husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank dressed up in smart tuxedos for the evening.
Julia de Boinville, the co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective, added a touch of glam in sequined green gown.
Through the charity, founded in 2017, Julia and Eugenie, have worked across several sectors to help bring an end to modern slavery and also launched their podcast Floodlight, where they interview guests on how best to end the practice around the world.
The York ladies looked chic in black frocks as they attended the Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre in south London yesterday
Also present at the event was Princess Eugenie’s cousin Zara Tindall (right) and close friend of the family Natalie Pinkham
Among the guests at the ball were Sofia Blunt (left), and singer Ed Sheeran whom Eugenie described as a ‘game changer’. Sofia’s husband James performed with Ed later in the night
Former prime minister Theresa May (centre) joined Julia de Boinville and Princess Eugenie at the Gala
Cressida Bonas, one of Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriends who is now married to property investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley, joined the royal sisters
James Blunt, Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Sofia Blunt and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (left to right) huddled together for a group shot
Eugenie enjoyed talking to Ed Sheeran and Lord Harry Dalmeny at the event held at Battersea Arts Centre
Princess Eugenie sat next to Ed Sheeran for a swanky dinner at the event space in Battersea Arts Centre
Ed and James took to the stage for a duet after the dinner
The York trio each oozed elegance in black frocks as they smiled alongside each other, with Beatrice sporting a Self Portrait dress with jacket detailing, while Eugenie chose a Peter Pilotto & Christopher de Vos satin-effect gown with a slit in the skirt and gathering at the waist, plus gold button detailing.
Eugenie is clearly a fan of the Australian-Italian design duo who also made her wedding dress to marry Jack Brooksbank in 2018.
Adding even more star-power to the look, Eugenie added a Gabriela hearst Metallic Nina Lambskin Bag and Jimmy Choo Lang 100 Gold Metallic Sandals.
Speaking ahead of the event Eugenie, 33, praised Ed Sheeran, who performed, for his involvement, saying: ‘It’s the most insane thing. Ed is game changer and an entertainer of a generation, so I’m absolutely lost of words that he’s coming.
‘He’s also one of the nicest people so I’m truly honoured and very grateful to have him there and help us on The Anti-Slavery Collective’s mission.’
Eugenie, the second child of the Duke and Duchess of York, said she had been motivated to set up the charity, which aims to end modern slavery by the humanitarian work of her mother, Sarah Ferguson
‘My mum does a lot of charity work and always raised my sister and I to give back,’ Princess Eugenie said.
The Royal, who now lives in Portugal with her husband Jack and their two sons, said that a trip to Calcutta with her mother and Julia in 2012 had sown the seeds for the Anti-Slavery Collective.
‘We went to Calcutta to visit Aloka Mitra, who founded The Women’s Interlink Foundation,’ she recalled.
Natalie Pinkham added a pop of colour to the evening as she joined Zara at the dinner table
James Blunt rubbed shoulders with Zara and Cressida Bonas during the evening
Society beauty Cressida wowed in a striped pink gown
Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank were beaming as they posed for photographs
Princess Beatrice was joined by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, for the event
Eugenie was joined by her friend Julia de Boinville with whom she co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017
Beatrice and Edo were the picture-perfect couple in monochrome outfits, as the Princess opted for all black while her property developer husband chose a dapper white dinner jacket
Princess Eugenie of York and Julia de Boinwille took to the stage during The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre
Mother-of-three Zara looked sensational in a black shirt dress with tie belt, statement sleeves and wore her blonde locks in an updo
The royal cousins looked elegant in their floor-length black frocks as they arrived at the Winter Gala
The ex-PM, who still works in politics as the MP for Maidenhead, appeared on the first episode of series two of Floodlight
The royal mother-of-two, 33, oozed elegance in a black long-sleeved frock with a slit in the skirt and gathering at the waist, with gold button detailing
The York women looked the image of each other as they stood side-by-side, with Fergie and Beatrice coming out to support Eugenie
While Eugenie looked sleek in black, Julia opted for a dazzling sequinned emerald gown with a bardot neckline
Julia de Boinville, Camila Alves McConaughey, Princess Eugenie of York and Dustee Jenkins, Spotify Chief Public Affairs Officer attend The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala
Julia de Boinville, Camila Alves McConaughey, Princess Eugenie and Dustee Jenkins (L-R) dressed up in their finest attire
Julia de Boinville, Poppy Jamie and Princess Eugenie (L to R) attend The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre
Sarah Ferguson, Julia de Boinwille, Gabriela Hearst and Princess Eugenie (L to R) looked glamorous while posing for photographs
Beautiful singer James Blunt was joined by his glamorous wife Sofia who opted for a stylish suit for the event
‘Aloka is an amazing woman who rescued girls from the streets, housed them and taught them how to print on fabrics.
‘During that trip to India, Jules and I were so shocked by what we’d discovered about modern slavery, when we returned to the UK we learned as much about it as we could, met with anyone who would listen to us, visited safe houses and talked to survivors.’
The charity’s mission is to raise awareness of the 50million people around the globe who are currently trapped in modern slavery.
‘I was 21 when I first learned about modern slavery. I don’t want people to get to the same age without being educated about the realities,’ the Royal said.
The Princess also paid tribute to a slavery survivor from Manchester who played a vital 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 by her next door neighbour into a local gang.
‘She was integral in setting up The Collective and we’re always asking her what she thinks… This is an example of modern slavery being everywhere, even here in the UK.’
Theresa May (L) joined Julia de Boinwille, Natalie Pinkham and Zara Tindallat the glitzy event
Princess Eugenie poses with friend and designer Gabriela Hearst at The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala
Natalie Pinkham and Zara Tindall were all smiles as they posed for photographs at the start of the event
James Blunt, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Sofia Blunt and Sarah Ferguson (L to R)
Princess Eugenie looked glamorous as she had photos taken with Sarah Ferguson, Julia de Boinwille and Gabriela Hearst (L to R)
Princess Eugenie and Sarah Ferguson both wore sleek black dresses as they spoke to Andre Balazs
Gabriela Hearst and Princess Eugenie of York looked relaxed as they posed for photos
Zara Tindall opted for a Rebecca Vallance shirt dress, featuring puff sleeves and a full skirt
Princess Eugenie of York, Andre Balazs and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (L-R) at the event in Battersea
She urged every Briton to play their part in the war against modern slavery.
‘A victim can walk amongst you but be suffering unfair wages or working forcibly to within an inch of their life in perhaps the construction industry, a nail bar or at a car wash.
‘Everyone has to open their eyes to what might be happening around them.’
Sheeran had a notorious encounter with Princess Eugenie’s sister, Princess Beatrice, who accidentally sliced his cheek with a ceremonial sword while she was 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 it was the Princess who had wielded the sword and called her an ‘idiot’.
But it looks like Sheeran has put all that behind him as he prepares to lend his star power to Princess Eugenie’s charity in London tonight.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12807127/York-night-Princess-Beatrice-Sarah-Ferguson-ooze-glamour-black-frocks-join-Eugenie-anti-slavery-charitys-Winter-Gala.html
