Princess Eugenie has been appointed as a mentor for the King's Foundation's "35 Under 35" initiative, marking a significant new role for the 35-year-old royal within King Charles's charitable operations. The announcement comes as the Foundation celebrates its 35th anniversary and highlights a renewed effort by the monarch to support causes related to sustainability, the arts, and traditional crafts.
During a recent visit to the Garrison Chapel in London, Eugenie met with the young changemakers selected for the program, which aims to spotlight emerging leaders in areas the King has long championed. "I'm delighted to be working with this group of exceptional young people who have been selected thanks to their outstanding work in areas the King is passionate about," Princess Eugenie said in a statement. "Given I recently celebrated my 35th birthday, it's fitting to take part in the charity's 35th anniversary celebrations and share my passion for art with the 35 under 35."
Photos from the visit show the Princess engaged with the participants, smiling as she toured the exhibition space and posed for a group photo with the inaugural cohort. Eugenie, who is a director at the Hauser & Wirth contemporary art gallery, emphasized her commitment to mentoring young talent in the arts and conservation, areas closely aligned with the Foundation's mission.
The 35 Under 35 group includes artists, environmentalists, and traditional craftspeople, among them basketmaker Florence Hamer, stonemason Freya de Lisle, and filmmaker Jack Harries. Other mentors include prominent figures such as designer Samuel Ross and social media historian Alice Loxton.
Eugenie's appointment is also seen as a sign of King Charles's confidence in his niece, despite the ongoing sidelining of her father, Prince Andrew, following his withdrawal from public royal duties in 2019. Royal observers note that the King remains fond of both Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, and appreciates their pursuit of independent careers outside the constraints of full-time royal duties.
"It is such an honour to be here today at the Garrison Chapel celebrating the King's Foundation and its 35 years," Eugenie said in a video posted to Instagram. "I am supporting the 35 Under 35 program, which is mentoring 35 people. It's my 35 years, and it's such a great thing to honour His Majesty's celebration of traditional arts, nature, sustainability. And I'm very proud to be here."
The new role follows Eugenie's invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, an event she attended alongside her cousin Zara Tindall. It marked the second consecutive year Prince William asked his cousins to assist in representing the royal family.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told The Mirror, "The younger royals are easy in conversation and highly relatable. They're the sort of people you feel you can have a giggle with - and that makes all the inevitable nerves for people attending a royal event quickly disappear." Bond added that Eugenie and others in her generation of royals may not seek official working royal roles but are willing to support the monarchy when called upon.
