Harry steps down from controversial African wildlife charity

The Duke of Sussex has stepped down from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity ahead of his return to the UK.Harry, who is due to relocate with the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet within days, is no longer a trustee of African Parks, a spokesman for the duke confirmed.The major conservation organisation admitted last year that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to move back to the UK within days (Jonathan Brady/PA)PA WireIt followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations that guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park.A spokesman for Harry said the duke, who was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023, remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks.“The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board,” the spokesman said.“His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”In 2016, Harry helped move hundreds of African elephants in Malawi to a safer home as part of a project organised by African Parks, describing the experience as “amazing”.Harry working in Malawi with African Parks as part of an initiative involving moving hundreds of elephants (African Parks/Frank Weitzer/PA)PA ArchiveThe charity said in 2025 that it had improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.The Sussexes are preparing to set up home in the UK, in a shock development six years after they quit the working monarchy and moved to California, with the children now enrolled in British schools.Former Suits star Meghan is said to be pursuing an acting role, with reports she is in talks about a role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen, and counter claims that the deal was off.Read MoreThe duke and duchess are planning an “extended stay” in the UK, but it has not been confirmed how long this will last.The dramatic U-turn by the royal family’s prodigal son Harry leaves many questions unanswered.Harry and Meghan with the King and royal family on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (Jane Barlow/PA)PA ArchiveIt is not yet clear whether taxpayers will foot the bill for the Sussexes’ security.The Telegraph reported that a long-awaited risk assessment, carried out on the orders of the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), took place at the end of July, but Harry does not know the result.The duke, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, is said to have pleaded with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for answers.He lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stopped being a working royal in 2020.The Princess of Wales smiles on her way to church with the Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral on Sunday (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireThe Prince and Princess of Wales, who have been holidaying with the King at Balmoral in Scotland, have yet to respond to news of Harry and Meghan’s plans to return.Future king William is estranged from his younger brother after Harry criticised him, Kate, Charles and Camilla in a primetime Oprah interview, a Netflix documentary and his autobiography Spare in the wake of his stepping back from royal duties.