Princess Eugenie joins Theresa May to commemorate abolitionist William Wilberforce at a Westminster Abbey service highlighting Britain's fight against modern slavery

  • Princess Eugenie attended the service at Westminster Abbey this evening 
  • She laid a wreath at the grave of Wilberforce to commemorate his work 
  •  May delivered a speech about Britain's role in stamping out slavery

By Martha Cliff for MailOnline

Published: 15:31 EST, 12 October 2016 | Updated: 16:59 EST, 12 October 2016

Princess Beatrice of York and Prime Minister Theresa May joined forces at Westminster Abbey this evening to raise awareness of modern day slavery.

The service at the world famous abbey in London and lead by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster will also help to commemorate the work of William Wilberforce, the leader of the abolish slave trade.

Eugenie, 26, looked elegant as she arrived at this evening's ceremony wearing an asymmetric black dress with a white tapered detail.

Princess Eugenie arrives at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday evening for a service to commemorate the work of William Wilberforce, the leader of the abolish slave trade

Princess Eugenie arrives at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday evening for a service to commemorate the work of William Wilberforce, the leader of the abolish slave trade

Keen to keep out the October chill the daughter of Prince Andrew paired her dress with a simple black jacket and added a flash of colour in the form of blue felt hat.

The Conservative leader wore a black wool coat with a blue trim and rather fittingly a scarf produced by the Key to Freedom charity.

The charity helps to rescue vulnerable women from situations such as modern day slavery and human trafficking.

During the service this evening Princess Eugenie laid a wreath of white lilies and other flowers at the grave of William Wilberforce.

The service also aimed to raise awareness of modern day slavery and the princess laid a wreath at the grave of Wilberforce in honour of his work 

The service also aimed to raise awareness of modern day slavery and the princess laid a wreath at the grave of Wilberforce in honour of his work 

Eugenie looked solemn as she looked down at the wreath accompanied by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Eugenie looked solemn as she looked down at the wreath accompanied by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

The wreath of white flowers was accompanied by a card attributed both to the princess and Marlene Sookdeo, a survivor of Modern Slavery 

The wreath of white flowers was accompanied by a card attributed both to the princess and Marlene Sookdeo, a survivor of Modern Slavery 

A card accompanied her gesture which read: 'In commemoration of the work of William Wilberforce and marking the United Kingdom's commitment to combat Modern Slavery laid by HRH Princess Eugenie of York and Marlene Sookdeo, a survivor of Modern Slavery.'

After laying her wreath Princess Eugenie returned to her seat next to the PM and the pair were pictured singing hymns in honour of the occasion. 

During this evening's service May made a speech condoning modern-day slavery a global phenomenon which will require concerted international action if it is to be tackled successfully.

The princess joined Prime Minister Theresa May and the pair joined together in hymns in honour of the occasion 

The princess joined Prime Minister Theresa May and the pair joined together in hymns in honour of the occasion 

The Conservative leader wore a black wool coat with a blue trim and rather fittingly a scarf produced by the Key to Freedom charity

The Conservative leader wore a black wool coat with a blue trim and rather fittingly a scarf produced by the Key to Freedom charity

Theresa May delivered an impassioned speech about Britain's efforts to further combat slavery

Theresa May delivered an impassioned speech about Britain's efforts to further combat slavery

The Prime Minister pledged to put Britain at the forefront of the fight to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Wilberforce's campaigning led to the passing of the landmark Slave Trade Act of 1807 and May said the Modern Slavery Act which came into force last year meant Britain now had some of the toughest penalties anywhere in the world.

'As Prime Minister, I want Britain at the forefront of this fight, leading the world with our efforts to stamp out modern day slavery and human trafficking,' she said.

Eugenie looked elegant as she arrived at this evening's ceremony
wearing an asymmetric black dress with a white tapered detail

Eugenie looked elegant as she arrived at this evening's ceremony wearing an asymmetric black dress with a white tapered detail. Pictured: Eugenie greets clergymen 

Eugenie too was spotted carrying a scarf from the Key to Freedom charity which helps to support women who are victims of modern slavery 

Eugenie too was spotted carrying a scarf from the Key to Freedom charity which helps to support women who are victims of modern slavery 

'This is a global phenomenon that knows no geographical boundaries, crossing not just borders but over the internet.

'So we need a radical domestic and international approach to target every aspect of this despicable trade and strip the slave drivers of the profit they make out of human suffering by putting them behind bars.

'We will work tirelessly, relentlessly pursuing the perpetrators of these appalling crimes so that victims of slavery can go free.' 

Clearly a subject close to the princesses heart Beatrice seemed keen to discuss the cause with the Reverend
Clearly a subject close to the princesses heart Beatrice seemed keen to discuss the cause with the Reverend

Clearly a subject close to the princesses heart Beatrice seemed keen to discuss the cause with the Reverend 

Keen to keep out the October chill the daughter of Prince Andrew paired her dress with a simple black jacket and added a flash of colour in the form of blue felt hat

Keen to keep out the October chill the daughter of Prince Andrew paired her dress with a simple black jacket and added a flash of colour in the form of blue felt hat

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