In an exclusive interview, Princess Eugenie exudes excitement as she invites us to join her on a cause close to her heart and explains how becoming a mother has altered her outlook on the future.
The environmentally conscious royal has been a Blue Marine Foundation ambassador for two years. Last week, she participated in the foundation’s Solent Seascape Project, the first project in the UK to address this kind of restoration.
Photo: Darren Fletcher
She said: “When I heard about Seascape, it blew me away. Seeing it firsthand is pretty cool, and I couldn’t wait to get here. It’s inspiring to see how these individuals devote their time to preserving the biological diversity of our oceans, and I want to contribute in any way I can.”
The Princess jumped right into the task at hand, eager to give coastal habitats for seahorses, oysters, seals, birds, and seagrass meadows new life.
She assisted marine scientists in the lab at the University of Portsmouth as they cleaned hundreds of oysters before releasing them back onto the reef while outfitted in a white lab coat, rubber gloves, and carrying tweezers and a nail brush.
Photo: Darren Fletcher
Eugenie, 33, who hosted the Ocean Advocate Series on sea conservation last year, is a passionate environmentalist who unquestionably practices what she preaches.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, she discussed how she avoids single-use plastics at home and plans to teach her two-year-old son August about climate change. Her 2018 wedding to businessman Jack Brooksbank was plastic-free.
The Princess, a director at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Mayfair, tells that having a child made her more aware of the need to preserve the environment for future generations. Her second child is due this summer.
“Since August entered my life, my motivation to do more has improved. When you have kids, your priorities shift because you want to do everything you can for them and your grandchildren. Even though August is only two, I hope that what I’m doing will reach him and that one day he will take it on as well.
