Prince Harry parts ways with controversial African wildlife charity ahead of UK return

Prince Harry parts ways with controversial African wildlife charity ahead of UK return Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has stepped down from the board of African Parks after being involved with the charity for 10 years - and is now longer a trustee Prince Harry has stepped down from his role with a controversial African wildlife charity - just days before his return to the UK. The Duke of Sussex, who is due to relocate to his homeland with wife Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is no longer a trustee of African Parks, his spokesman has confirmed. It comes after the conservation organisation admitted last year that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville. It followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations that guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park. A spokesman for Harry said the duke, who served as president of the charity for six years before becoming a member of its board of directors in 2023, remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. His spokesman said: “The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board. His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.” While African Parks said: " The Duke has brought global attention to the urgent need for biodiversity protection for the benefit of people and wildlife, and has contributed greatly to promoting philanthropy for the cause of conservation in Africa." In 2016, Harry helped move hundreds of African elephants in Malawi to a safer home as part of a project organised by African Parks, describing the experience as ‘amazing’. The charity said in 2025 that it had improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally. It is the second charity that Harry has recently stood down from as a trustee following his bitter departure from Sentebale - an organisation he founded more than 20 years ago to honour the legacy of the late Princess Diana. The charity aims to help children orphaned by Aids in Botswana and Lesotho, and his resignation followed a highly publicised boardroom battle with chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka. Dr Chandauka previously levelled accusations of bullying and harassment against the Duke, which he denied. The Sussexes are preparing to set up home in the UK, in a shock development six years after they quit the working monarchy and moved to California, with the children now enrolled in British schools. Former Suits star Meghan is said to be pursuing an acting role, with reports she is in talks about a role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen. The duke and duchess are planning an “extended stay” in the UK, but it has not been confirmed how long this will last. The dramatic U-turn by Harry leaves many questions unanswered. It is not yet clear whether taxpayers will foot the bill for the Sussexes’ security. The Telegraph reported that a long-awaited risk assessment, carried out on the orders of the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), took place at the end of July, but Harry does not know the result. The duke, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, is said to have pleaded with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for answers. He lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stopped being a working royal in 2020.