GATHERING A STELLAR CROWD AT HER FUNDRAISING GALA PRINCESS EUGENIE ON THE STRONG WOMEN IN HER FAMILY WHO HAVE INSPIRED HER TO FIGHT AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY

She has never had to look far for the love and support of strong women, and two of her greatest influences were by Princess Eugenie’s side as she prepared for one of the most important moments of her life.

Watching proudly as the royal mum of two delivered the keynote speech at the inaugural fundraising gala of her anti-slavery charity were her mother Sarah, Duchess of York and her big sister, Princess Beatrice.

But there was another adored female very much in her heart and thoughts – her “granny”, Queen Elizabeth II.

As well as from Sarah and Beatrice, the 33-year-old Princess tells hello! in our exclusive interview that she has taken inspiration from her royal grandmother’s devotion to duty.

GIRL POWER

“My mum, very much from a young age, involved us in her organisation and mission,” she says. “She’s been working with Teenage Cancer Trust since they opened their first-ever unit, and on my 18th birthday I went to open a unit with her. My sister and I wanted to do what she’s done, so we travelled with her and experienced things with her.

“The same goes for my granny. Her example was always about giving to others and her duty to others, and that is something that will forever stay with me and was definitely a foundation for me when I was growing up.

“As for my sister, she’s incredible,” she adds. “The other day I read in Time magazine something like: ‘Your parents leave too soon and your kids arrive too late, so your siblings really are people that you’ve had and will have forever.’ I ring Beatrice and ask her advice all the time. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about education because she set up an education charity, so when we’re on our mission to try and work with education services, she’s really useful.