Prince Harry is no longer on the board of African Parks, a year after the charity acknowledged that its rangers committed human rights abuses. The Duke of Sussex stepped down from the conservation organization just days before his planned return to the UK with his family.
Harry first partnered with African Parks in 2016 and served as its president for six years before joining the board of directors in 2023. In a statement, a spokesman for Harry said the duke remains a supporter of 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”.
The departure follows an independent investigation that confirmed allegations of serious abuses against Indigenous Baka people in the Republic of Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park. In May 2025, African Parks acknowledged that its rangers had committed beatings, torture, and rape. The charity stated: “We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims”. African Parks commissioned the investigation by law firm Omnia Strategy after years of complaints from advocacy group Survival International and a major report in the Mail on Sunday. Critics have pointed out the full report has not been made public, raising concerns over transparency.
The charity said Harry’s departure was a “mutual” decision as part of a “routine governance refresh,” and that he “was not removed from the board”.
