Prince Harry steps down from board of wildlife charity ahead of return to UK with Meghan

Prince Harry has quit the board of a wildlife charity which last year admitted human rights abuses by its rangers.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, is no longer a trustee of African Parks as he and his family prepare to move back to the UK from the US in days.

Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.

His spokesman said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks.

Last May, the conservation organisation admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in the Republic of the Congo, a country in Central Africa.

It 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.

In a statement last May, African Parks said: "In mid-2023, African Parks was made aware of allegations of human rights abuses by eco-guards against the Baka community in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo."

It added that following an investigation it "acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims".

"There is no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation," African Parks added.

The spokesman for Harry 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."

In 2016, the prince 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".

The charity said in 2025 that it had improved its safeguarding processes, both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.

Last week, it was revealed the duke and six other household names will have to pay more than £9.5m to the Daily Mail's publisher in the first round of legal costs after losing their High Court claims.

The high-profile figures, also including Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Sir Elton John, sued Associated Newspapers Limited over allegations of unlawful information-gathering.

Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are preparing to set up home in the UK within days, six years after the couple stepped back as working royals and moved to California.

Their children have already been enrolled in British schools, but it has not been confirmed where the family will live.

The duke and duchess are planning an "extended stay" in the UK but it has not been confirmed how long this will last.

It is also not yet clear whether taxpayers will foot the bill for the Sussexes' security.

Former Suits star Meghan, 45, is said to be pursuing an acting role, with reports she is in talks about a role in Guy Ritchie's Netflix hit The Gentlemen.

There have also been claims that a potential deal was off.

On Monday, it was confirmed that The Gentlemen has been officially renewed for a third season.

(c) Sky News 2026: Prince Harry steps down from board of wildlife charity ahead of return to UK with Meghan