Prince Harry ‘concluded his tenure’ with African Parks & is no longer on AP’s board

In 2017, Prince Harry became the president of African Parks, a large-scale NGO financed by billionaire conservationists. African Parks operates in more than a dozen African countries, working on everything from tagging and monitoring rhinos and elephants to extremely dangerous anti-poaching work. Up until 2023, Harry served as president. Then he shifted over to a board position that same year. That was the same year that attacks on African Parks began ramping up in the British media. You see, Harry had something Prince William wanted, and Harry refused to understand that Africa belongs to William. So a multiyear campaign has been waged by William to pressure Harry into stepping down from African Parks. It looks like it worked.

African Parks today announced a governance refresh of its Board of Directors, welcoming Justice Isaac Lenaola and Alice Ruhweza as incoming members, and expressing deep gratitude to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who will conclude his tenure following a ten-year commitment to the organisation.

Following a ten-year association with African Parks, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, will conclude his tenure on the Board of Directors. His relationship with the organisation dates back to Malawi in July 2016, when he supported one of the largest elephant translocations in history. He served as President for six years before being appointed a member of the Board of Directors. Over the years, The Duke has brought global attention to the urgent need for biodiversity protection for the benefit of people and wildlife, and has contributed greatly to promoting philanthropy for the cause of conservation in Africa. The Duke remains deeply committed to this cause, and remains a strong supporter of African Parks’ work.

“We extend our thanks to all the members of the Board who generously volunteer their time in support of our conservation mission – and particularly to The Duke of Sussex, for a decade of committed service to African Parks. We are delighted to welcome Justice Isaac Lenaola and Alice Ruhweza, whose distinguished records will contribute to the depth of expertise and breadth of experience that have long defined our Board,” said Vas Narasimhan, the Chairperson of the African Parks Board.

These changes will take effect from the forthcoming Board meeting, on 30 September 2026.

As a non-profit organisation, African Parks Board members are not remunerated, beyond compensation for expenses.

[From African Parks]

Again, Harry became president of African Parks in 2017 – next year would have been the 10-year anniversary, not this year. There are no “terms” at AP either – no one has a fixed number of years to serve in certain positions. This is either Harry choosing to leave or Harry being pushed out. Is it possible that Harry simply wanted to go and/or Harry already has so much on his plate? Sure. That’s possible. But it’s also possible that Harry just handed his brother a big win, not to mention handing the British media a big win – William has been incandescent with rage about African Parks for years, and his office has overseen a sustained campaign of harassment towards Harry alone regarding African Parks. Harry no longer has AP or Sentebale on his plate. Why is this happening? And why isn’t Harry fighting back?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.