Prince Harry leaves African Parks board after charity admitted rangers committed human rights abuses
Prince Harry has left the board of African Parks after nearly a decade with the conservation charity, a year after the organization acknowledged that some of its rangers had committed human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for Harry, 41, confirmed his departure while emphasizing that his work in African conservation will continue.
“The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its Board,” the spokesperson said. “His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”
Harry first partnered with African Parks in 2016 and became president of the organization the following year. He was appointed to its board of directors in 2023.
His departure comes after African Parks commissioned an independent investigation into allegations that rangers had r@ped, beaten and tortured Indigenous people. The investigation concluded last year, with the charity acknowledging in May 2025 that “in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred.”
“We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims,” African Parks said.
The organization also acknowledged failures in its systems and processes, particularly during its early management of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, and said it was committed to addressing the shortcomings identified by the investigation.
Harry’s time with African Parks formed part of his longstanding connection to Africa, which he has described as his “second home.” He has visited the continent since childhood and co-founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to support young people in Southern Africa.
His relationship with Sentebale also ended last year after a public dispute between the charity’s trustees and chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Harry and Prince Seeiso stepped down as patrons in March 2025, backing the trustees who had resigned.
The Charity Commission later criticized the dispute, saying it had “severely impacted the charity’s reputation.”
Sources close to Sentebale subsequently told The Times that the possibility of Harry returning to the charity had been “completely extinguished,” describing the organization as “too tarnished” after months of internal conflict, resignations and staff cuts.
Harry’s departure from African Parks comes as he prepares to spend an extended period in Britain with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with the children expected to begin school in the UK in the coming weeks.
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