Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of African Parks, a wildlife conservation charity. The decision comes after the organization admitted last year that its rangers had committed human rights abuses against indigenous people in Congo-Brazzaville.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry confirmed his departure from the board, where he served after a six-year tenure as president of the organization. He remains a supporter of African Parks' mission, according to the spokesperson.
African Parks manages approximately 20 national parks and protected areas across 12 countries. The charity faced an independent human rights investigation into allegations that guards managed by the organization beat, raped, and tortured indigenous people in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park. The organization stated in 2025 that it had improved its safeguarding processes both at the park and institutionally.
The charity acknowledged the abuses in 2025 and announced a "governance refresh of its board of directors." African Parks thanked Prince Harry for his association, stating that he "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."
Prince Harry's commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of the organization's work, his spokesman said. During his involvement, Prince Harry served on an expert team that helped implement the first phase of the 500 Elephants project, which involved translocating elephants from Malawi to areas affected by poaching. He described the experience as "amazing."
This development follows recent news of Prince Harry and his family's impending relocation from California to the United Kingdom. The family, including the Duchess of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to enroll their children in school in the UK for the upcoming September term.
Their return to the UK has also raised questions regarding security arrangements, as Prince Harry previously lost a legal challenge concerning the level of security his family is entitled to while in the United Kingdom. Details about security provisions for their stay remain unclear. Plans for the couple's activities during their time in the UK are also not yet public.