Prince Harry Quits African Parks Board as Family Prepares to Return to UK

Prince Harry has officially left the board of African Parks, bringing an end to a 10-year chapter in his conservation career that saw him rise to become president of one of Africa’s most prominent wildlife organisations.

The Duke of Sussex first got involved with African Parks in 2016, stepping up to the presidency the following year. He held that role for six years before transitioning to a board position in 2023.

The organisation manages more than 20 million hectares of protected land across 13 African countries, partnering with governments to safeguard wildlife and biodiversity.

According to the BBC, Harry’s exit has not come without context. African Parks found itself under significant scrutiny following allegations of serious abuses by rangers at Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo.

Members of the Baka community reported incidents including beatings, torture and rape, prompting an independent investigation into the conduct of park rangers.

The organisation later acknowledged that human rights abuses had occurred, admitting to systemic failures that required urgent intervention.

Survival International, a group that campaigns for the rights of Indigenous peoples, publicly called for Harry to remove himself from the board in light of the findings.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, Harry’s camp has been careful to frame his exit on positive terms.

A spokesperson for the Duke said he was proud of everything achieved during his decade-long association with African Parks and remained fully supportive of its conservation mission going forward.

African Parks, for its part, maintained that Harry’s departure was part of a planned governance restructure rather than any form of disciplinary measure.

The charity said that after 10 years of involvement, it was a natural moment for Harry to step back as the board underwent a refresh. New members are set to join from 30 September.

This is not the first African charitable organisation Harry has departed in recent times. In 2025, he also stepped down from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, dedicated to supporting children and young people affected by HIV and poverty in southern Africa.

Although he no longer holds any formal role at African Parks, Harry is understood to remain personally committed to conservation work across the continent.