Princess Eugenie reveals incognito visit to hospital working with mental health patients
- The royal, 34, visited Springfield Hospital in southwest London last week
- READ MORE: Princess Eugenie reveals she's 'proud' of harrowing docuseries telling real-life stories of slavery
Princess Eugenie put on a sleek display in all black attire she visited mental health patients at a hospital in south west London last week.
The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, 34, yesterday took to Instagram to share images from her visit to Springfield Hospital last week, where she viewed a new art programme taking place at the Bluebell Ward.
The 34-year-old, who dubbed herself an 'avid art lover', wrapped up in warm winter clothes as she took to the specialist unit for deaf adults with mental illness and mental health problems.
Eugenie donned a longline winter black coat and a pair of suede black boots to combat London's chilly temperatures.
Once inside the building, the King's niece viewed the bright artworks displayed across the walls of the hospital unit, including one striking piece that reads: 'Hope for a better tomorrow'.
In the photographs, the mother-of-two looked invested in conversation with hospital staff and members from charity Hospital Rooms, which transforms mental health units with contemporary art.
Taking to Instagram yesterday, Eugenie wrote: 'It was an absolute pleasure to visit another incredible project championed by @_hospitalrooms at Springfield Hospital @swlstg last week.
'Hospital Rooms brings creativity, colour, and kindness to mental health hospitals and as an avid art lover, it was truly incredible to see.
Princess Eugenie (pictured second right) took to Instagram to praise an 'incredible' charity initiative called Hospital Rooms yesterday
The King's niece looked invested as she chatted to staff from Hospital Rooms, which decorates mental health wards with art
'During my visit @_hospitalroooms shared their inspiring art programme and I was fortunate enough to meet the amazing teams and patients on Bluebell Ward and at Springfield Hospital.'
It comes after Princess Eugenie spoke about a moment that she will never forget during a trip to India in 2011 - one which inspired her charity.
The King's niece, 34, travelled to Calcutta when she was 21 years old, alongside her mother, Sarah Ferguson and her best friend, Julia de Boinville.
The visit struck a chord with the mother-of-two, which led to both Eugenie and Julia founding the charity, The Anti-Slavery Collective, which works to end modern slavery and human trafficking.
During the trip, the trio met Aloka Mitra, a woman who has led programmes supporting women and children in vulnerable positions for more than 35 years.
Eugenie described her as 'one of the most inspirational women I have ever met,' when speaking to People.
Aloka introduced Eugenie, Sarah - who is known more commonly as Fergie - and Julia to a group of teenage girls who she had rescued from modern slavery.
And it seems they had a strong impact on the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, as she said that she will 'never forget them'.
Eugenie took to Instagram to praise the 'incredible project' on Bluebell Ward in London's Springfield Hospital
The mother-of-two, who sported an all-black ensemble for the occasion, admired artwork at the London hospital
Eugenie said: 'Hearing their harrowing stories of abuse, neglect and exploitation was heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring.
'I felt that if this group of young women had the strength and resilience to reclaim their lives, that we also had a responsibility to do something.'
Eugenie said she spent several years with experts and doing their research before launching The Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017.
The daughter of Prince Andrew said: 'All these years later, I will never forget those young women; their stories continue to inspire me to this day.'
Her non-profit organisation has recently launched 'My Epiphany', which is a series of short films detailing powerful stories told through journalists, activists, CEOs, and former police officers.
The 34-year-old exclusively told Femail: 'Through our new video series - My Epiphany - we are proud to shine a light on the heartbreaking global epidemic of modern slavery.
'We hope the insightful and eye-opening series of powerful interviews will raise awareness on the awful situations many victims are trapped in.'
The Anti-Slavery Collective says there is an estimated 50million people in modern slavery around the world and 54 per cent of them are women or young girls.
The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York dubbed herself an 'avid art lover' in the Instagram post
They estimate that 22million people are in forced marriages, and that nine million of those are children.
The Collective works with policy makers, companies and survivors 'to collaboratively develop solutions to fight modern day slavery and human trafficking' through its three pillars: raising awareness, education and responsible business.
It comes after Eugenie was praised for 'getting on with it' after she revealed she made a secret visit to a charity.
The Princess said she's 'grateful' to have made a secret stop at the Salvation Army to meet with survivors of modern slavery.
Recounting her visit on Instagram, the Princess said: 'Listening to survivors, and hearing their stories makes this work seem as urgent and important as ever.
'It also reminds me why Jules and I started The Anti-Slavery Collective in the first place.'
