Princess Eugenie’s Anti-Slavery Collective Under Increased Scrutiny by Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has escalated its oversight of the Anti-Slavery Collective, a charity co-founded by Princess Eugenie in 2017. The watchdog has officially opened a regulatory compliance case to investigate concerns regarding how the organization manages its charitable spending.
This move marks a significant step up from previous monitoring. While the commission had been “assessing concerns” since earlier this year, the transition to a formal regulatory compliance case indicates a more structured investigation into the charity’s financial operations.
What is a Regulatory Compliance Case?
It is important to distinguish this action from a statutory inquiry. According to the BBC, the current move does not represent a statutory inquiry, and the Charity Commission has not yet drawn any conclusions or made formal findings. Instead, a regulatory compliance case allows the watchdog to engage more closely with the charity’s trustees to ensure the organization is adhering to legal and regulatory standards.
Financial Red Flags and Spending Concerns
The scrutiny stems from a series of financial discrepancies highlighted in the charity’s accounts. The primary concerns center on the gap between the funds raised and the amount actually distributed to anti-slavery programs.
- High Fundraising, Low Distribution: In a previous financial year, the Anti-Slavery Collective raised £1.5 million in donations. However, reports indicate that very little of this was distributed, with £1.3 million carried forward. A significant portion of this income was generated by a high-profile gala fundraiser held in London in 2023.
- Slumping Donations: More recent accounts for the year ending April 5, 2025, show a sharp decline in contributions, with donations dropping to £48,000.
- Salary vs. Programming: The most recent financial data reveals a stark contrast in spending priorities. The charity spent £191,537 on salaries—an amount that is double what the organization spent on its actual charity programmes.
Timeline of the Investigation
The road to this regulatory case began months ago. In March, a Charity Commission spokesperson told the BBC, “We are assessing concerns raised in the media about charitable spending at The Anti-Slavery Collective to determine what role there is, if any, for the Commission.”
By Wednesday, the watchdog confirmed the escalation, stating: “We have opened a regulatory compliance case into Anti-Slavery Collective to continue assessing concerns raised with us about charitable spending.”
Key Takeaways
- Current Status: The Anti-Slavery Collective is under a “regulatory compliance case” by the Charity Commission.
- Core Issue: Disproportionate spending on salaries compared to charitable programming.
- Financial Shift: A massive drop in donations from a £1.5 million peak (driven by a 2023 gala) to £48,000 in the most recent period.
- Next Steps: The Commission will engage further with the charity’s trustees, though no specific timeframe for the conclusion of the enquiries has been set.
As the Charity Commission continues its engagement with the trustees, the focus remains on whether the Anti-Slavery Collective is fulfilling its mission effectively or if its administrative costs have overshadowed its charitable goals. The outcome of this case will likely determine if further, more severe statutory action is required.