Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has announced that he will leave his role as a trustee of African Parks, a nonprofit organization that partners with governments to manage protected wildlife areas in 13 African countries, from Chad to Zimbabwe. The decision was confirmed by a spokesperson for the prince on Monday.
Ten years of service
Harry joined the board of African Parks ten years ago, offering his public profile to help raise awareness and support for the organization’s conservation mission. During his tenure, the nonprofit has continued to protect millions of acres of land and support local communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Governance refresh
African Parks said the prince’s departure is part of a broader “governance refresh.” Effective September 30, a Kenyan Supreme Court justice and the president of AGRA – an organization that assists small farmers across Africa – will join the board. The nonprofit said the new appointments will bring additional expertise in law and agricultural development to its leadership.
Recent controversy
The timing follows criticism from the Indigenous rights group Survival International, which called on Harry to resign after alleging human‑rights abuses by rangers employed by African Parks. The group’s concerns have added pressure on the board to review its oversight practices.
Previous charitable work
Harry’s departure from African Parks follows his earlier exit from Sentebale, the charity he co‑founded in 2006 to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. He left Sentebale in March 2025 after a strained relationship with the organization’s chair.
Future plans
Harry and his wife, Meghan, stepped aside from royal duties when they moved to the United States in 2020. The couple announced last week that they are returning to live in the United Kingdom and will reside in a non‑royal home outside London. They have indicated they will not resume official royal duties.
Vas Narasimhan, chair of the African Parks board, thanked the Duke of Sussex for a decade of committed service, noting that board members volunteer their time to support the organization’s conservation goals.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
