Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of an African wildlife charity ahead of his upcoming return to the UK.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, who is due to relocate with Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet within days, is no longer a trustee of African Parks, a spokesman confirmed.
The major conservation organisation, which manages parks across the continent, 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.
© GettyA spokesman for the Duke, who was president of the charity for six years and joined the board of directors in 2023, said: "The Duke is proud of his ten 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."
Though Harry is no longer on the board, he will remain an active supporter of the charity, HELLO! understands.
Prince Harry and the African Parks controversy
In May, Survival International, an indigenous rights charity, alleged widespread wrongdoing by African Parks, including "rape and torture" by rangers, in the Republic of the Congo.
According to a report in The Times, they said that "problems on the ground have not been solved".
© Getty ImagesRepresentatives for the Duke of Sussex referred to the May 2025 statement when contacted by HELLO! for comment at the time. In that statement, African Parks acknowledged that "in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred", adding they "deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to victims".
Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, said on Monday: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record – African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Latest on Harry and Meghan's UK plans
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, and counterclaims that the deal was off. A third season was confirmed on Monday.
The Duke and Duchess are planning an "extended stay" in the UK, but it has not been confirmed how long this will last.
© InstagramThe dramatic U-turn by the royal family’s prodigal son 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.
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.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have been holidaying with the King at Balmoral in Scotland, have yet to respond to news of Harry and Meghan’s plans to return.
