HRH Princess Eugenie visited the Fens to support the fight against modern day slavery.

Her first port of call was to the Rosmini Centre in Wisbech where manager Anita Grodkiewicz has said: “Exploitation of vulnerable people – modern slavery – is happening in Fenland.”

The princess is a long-term supporter of organisations such as the Rosmini and is a co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective.

Princess Eugenie met staff, volunteers and service users at the centre on Monday before visiting the Wisbech and Fenland Museum and The Ferry Project.

The visit was part of a bid to raise awareness on modern slavery and what is being done to tackle the issue.

Eugenie discussed the anti-slavery movement and learnt about Wisbech hero, Thomas Clarkson.

Mrs Grodkiewicz said: “We wanted to talk about the preventative work we are doing and how that fits with what other organisations are doing, too.”

Wisbech Standard: Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery.Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery. (Image: Mrs Julie Spence)

Eugenie was keen to learn how Wisbech is tackling modern slavery, as well as the training provided to help more people help potential victims now and in future.

Wisbech Standard: Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery.Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery. (Image: Mrs Julie Spence)

“I think one of the things she was interested in was why is modern slavery happening here,” Anita added.

The Anti-Slavery Collective was launched in 2017 by Princess Eugenie and Julia de Boinville after meeting on a trip to India nine years ago.

In India, the pair became aware of modern slavery after visiting the Women’s Interlink Foundation which is tackling the problem, and wanted to raise more awareness of the issue.

Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew’s youngest daughter, has been working against modern slavery since setting up social enterprise initiative Key to Freedom in 2012.

Wisbech Standard: Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery.Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery. (Image: Mrs Julie Spence)

Wisbech Standard: Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery.Princess Eugenie came to Wisbech to talk about how the town and other parts of the Fens are tackling modern slavery. (Image: Mrs Julie Spence)

Julia has worked with organisations such as End Violence Against Women and has spent time with victims, charities and policy makers in a bid to take action against modern slavery.