Princess Eugenie's anti-slavery campaign: Genuine fight or PR stunt?

Princess Eugenie, granddaughter to Queen Elizabeth II, has been recognized for her charitable work, especially for her dedication to combating modern slavery. Because she’s the founder of The Anti-Slavery Collective Eugenie has been the royal voice to advocate for a cause that often goes overlooked.

This advocacy, however, while it has been praised, has also raised the questions of, is it heartfelt activism, or is it just a royal public relations exercise?

Her work, however, is far from superficial, is what her supporters argue. Since co-founding the initiative in 2017, Eugenie has been a leading voice in advocating for the recognition of trafficking and exploitation.

She has spoken at the world stage, partnered with various NGOs, and used her voice to advocate for the victims to access resources. Her supporters argue that her advocacy is far from being a symbolic activism and shows a true commitment to the cause. Eugenie, for them, is a modern royal.

Critics wonder if her campaign will be seen as a product of privilege. Some view her activism as an attempt to rebrand the monarchy while public sentiment is lukewarm towards them.

These critics argue her work is mainstreamed activism that lacks the large scale impact the unsung heroes of activism achieve every day, and merely serves to reshape public perceptions of the royals. The regularity of her media appearances and the speech timing invites the perception that the initiatives serve primarily to manage reputation.

Eugenie, as other royals, invites questions about the scale of activism she is doing, as a taxpayer-funded member of the monarchy. Societal change is asked of nobles and she is asked to do just activism that will not serve as a distraction to the monarchy.

The question of impact remains, does her work aide the palace in the fight against modern slavery, or is it yet another means to polish the palace’s image?

Eugenie generated public discourse regardless of how it is framed, and that is a human right. Millions still live in slavery. The oppression is screaming, and the activism for it should be too. Just the perception of activism is of value. The discourse may be more valuable than the campaign.