Prince Harry Steps Down from Longtime Charity Role amid Scandal Ahead of His U.K. Return

Prince Harry is no longer on the board of African Parks, a charity hit with abuse claims, but “remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”

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Prince Harry is no longer on the board of African Parks, a charity he first partnered with in 2016

A spokesperson said, “His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission”

African Parks acknowledged that its rangers committed human rights abuses last year

Prince Harry is no longer on the board of African Parks, a year after the charity acknowledged that its rangers committed human rights abuses.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex, 41, said, “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.”

Prince Harry first partnered with African Parks in 2016 and became president of the non-profit conservation group that manages national parks across the continent the following year. In 2023, he was appointed to an elevated role on the board of directors.

The Charity Governance Code states that “Trustees are usually expected to serve for a term of no more than three years, and may be reappointed for further terms, up to a maximum of nine years.”

Last year, African Parks held an independent investigation into the allegations that their rangers raped, beat and tortured indigenous people. In May 2025, the organization released a statement confirming that the investigation had concluded and found “that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred.”

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“We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims,” African Parks said in its statement. “Omnia’s process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of [Odzala-Kokoua National Park].”

African Parks continued, “We are committed to addressing the shortcomings that have been identified. Further, where sufficient evidence is available, we will take action against staff members implicated in incidents not yet known about, or that had not been adequately dealt with. The Board is confident that the institutional improvements implemented over the past five years, along with those planned for the coming months – incorporating valuable recommendations from Omnia – will mitigate risks in the future.”

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Africa is a place close to Prince Harry’s heart and a place he has called his “second home.” He has visited the continent on many occasions since childhood, both in a public and private capacity. He also co-founded Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support young people in Southern Africa.

However, Harry resigned from Sentebale last year amid what has been characterized as a financial crisis and internal turmoil. In March 2025, the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso announced their “devastating” decision to step down as patrons of the charity, backing the trustees who also resigned over a fallout with chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka. The dispute spilled into the public domain and was later criticized by the Charity Commission, which said the event had “severely impacted the charity’s reputation.”

Sources close to the charity told The Times in early 2026 that any prospect of the Duke of Sussex re-engaging with Sentebale has been “completely extinguished,” describing the organization as “too tarnished” following months of public infighting, resignations and staff cuts. This month, it was revealed that Harry diverted his portion of the Diana Fund proceeds to Elephants Without Borders, rather than Sentebale.

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The news of Prince Harry’s departure from his role with African Parks comes amid his move back to the U.K. with Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, for an extended period. They are expected to arrive this month, with the kids starting school in Britain in the coming weeks.

The family relocated to Meghan’s home state of California in 2020 after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their royal roles.

King Charles, 77, was made aware of the couple’s upcoming plans on Sunday, August 16, three days before it was publicly revealed, PEOPLE understands. The British monarch is understood to welcome the opportunity to see more of the family in a private and personal capacity.

The King reunited with his U.S.-based grandchildren for the first time in more than four years in July, when Harry and Meghan returned to the U.K. with Archie and Lilibet for a visit that included tea at the monarch’s private country home of Highgrove House.

Harry and Meghan also visited Althorp House, where Princess Diana spent much of her childhood and is buried. Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, and his wife, Cat Jarman, now live at the residence.

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