Prince Harry has ended another formal role with a major Africa-focused organisation, marking his second such departure in 17 months.
The Duke of Sussex has stepped down from the board of African Parks, a conservation organisation that manages protected areas across 13 African countries.
African Parks said the departure was part of a wider board restructuring. The organisation also thanked Harry for his contribution over the past decade.
His spokesperson said he remains committed to supporting African Parks and its conservation work.
Prince Harry ends African Parks board role
Harry became involved with African Parks in 2016.
He served as the organisation’s president for six years before joining its board in 2023.
African Parks currently manages 24 protected areas covering more than 20 million hectares across countries including Angola, Chad, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The organisation works with African governments to manage national parks and other protected areas.
Second Africa charity departure in 17 months
Harry’s latest departure comes around 17 months after he stepped down as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.
The organisation was established following Harry’s experiences in southern Africa and has supported children and young people, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Harry and Prince Seeiso resigned as patrons in March 2025 following a dispute involving Sentebale’s trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Chandauka accused Harry and others of bullying, harassment and misogyny. Harry rejected the allegations.
The UK’s Charity Commission later said it found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment. However, it criticised aspects of the charity’s governance and the way the dispute became public.
African Parks has faced scrutiny
Harry’s departure comes as African Parks has faced scrutiny over its operations on the continent.
The organisation has faced allegations of human rights abuses involving rangers and members of the Indigenous Baka community at Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo.
An independent investigation examined allegations including violence and sexual abuse. African Parks acknowledged that human rights abuses had occurred and said it was taking steps to address failures identified by the investigation.
Separately, Chad expelled African Parks from the country in 2025 after accusing the organisation of failures involving conservation, investment and relations with authorities.
However, there is no evidence that these controversies caused Harry’s departure.
African Parks has presented the change as part of a wider restructuring of its board.
Harry’s long relationship with Africa
Harry’s connection to Africa stretches back decades.
His early visits to Lesotho eventually contributed to the creation of Sentebale, while his later work with African Parks focused on wildlife conservation.
Although he has now left formal positions at both organisations, his spokesperson says he remains committed to supporting African Parks’ conservation work.