Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of African Parks, the conservation organisation he has been associated with for about a decade. His departure comes after an independent investigation confirmed human rights abuses by rangers working at Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, with allegations involving members of the Baka community. The probe confirmed abuses including beatings, rape, and torture, with one source also citing waterboarding.

African Parks acknowledged the abuses in May 2025 and said it had strengthened its safeguarding and human rights procedures. The charity described Harry's exit as part of a "governance refresh" and argued that it was "mutually agreed" that it remains — with a spokesperson for the organisation adding: "He was not removed from the board." Two new directors, Justice Isaac Lenaola and Alice Ruhweza, were appointed in the same announcement.

Harry's spokesman confirmed his departure and stressed his ongoing commitment to the charity's mission: "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." African Parks also paid tribute to his work, saying he has brought global attention to biodiversity protection and promoted philanthropy for conservation.

Harry's history with African Parks

Harry first became involved with African Parks in Malawi in 2016, participating in the 500 Elephants project, which involved relocating elephants from low-risk areas. He later served as president for six years before joining the board of directors in 2023. The charity manages around 20 protected areas across 12 African countries—with one source citing 24 areas in 13 countries—covering more than 20 million hectares. Board members are unpaid apart from expenses, and the organisation receives funding from the EU and the US.

The changes to the board take effect at its meeting on September 30, as announced last week. The charity's description of the move as a routine overhaul, alongside its receipt of criticism about the ranger incidents, leaves the timing of Harry's departure open to interpretation. Both his spokesman and the charity insist on his continued support, despite the mutual step-down.

A pattern of departures

Harry's exit from African Parks is a notable development, but it is not his first departure from an African charity. In March 2025, he stepped down as patron of Sentebale, which he co-founded, amid a dispute involving its chair Sophie Chandauka. The UK's Charity Commission criticised all sides for allowing the row to "play out publicly" but found no evidence of widespread bullying. Sentebale later launched defamation proceedings against Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer, who have said they "proficiently reject these offensive and damaging claims."

These events cast a wider pattern of Harry's involvement with charities, but they do not appear to form part of the immediate reason for the African Parks departure. Rather, the abuse investigation is the key context that underpins the governance changes.

A return to Britain

Harry's departure from the board comes along with news, reported by Reuters, that he, Meghan, and the children plan to return to Britain this month for an extended stay. The couple, who stepped down as working royals and moved to the US six years ago, are expected to have the children attend school in the UK, but they will not live in a royal residence and will not remain working royals. The move marks a shift from their decision to build their primary life in California, which has included the Oprah interview, the Netflix documentary, and Harry's memoir, "Spare."

Relations with King Charles have reportedly shown improvement, with the monarch seeing his grandchildren last month, but Harry's relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained. Harry also previously lost a legal challenge over taxpayer-funded security changes in the UK. These personal details add context to the news of his board departure, but they do not shift the central narrative.

Perspectives

Prince Harry's team: Insists that the Duke is proud of his decade with African Parks, fully supports the board's strengthening, and will remain a supporter of the mission—signal that his departure is not a withdrawal from conservation. They also emphasise his ongoing schedule of work.

African Parks: The charity acknowledges that its own guards were involved in "rights abuses", and has enacted safeguarding changes. It frames Harry's exit as mutally agreed and reflects a routine governance refresh, making clear that he was not pushed out. It also Thanks him.

The public record / investigation: The independent investigation confirmed abuses at Odengal, and the reports from Mail on Sunday and a tag described local allegations. While the charity does not dispute the findings, it argues it has taken steps to address failings.