Prince Harry Joins Panel Moderated by Katie Couric Discussing African Parks, a Cause He's Long Supported

Mar. 15, 2025

Katie Couric moderated a panel featuring Prince Harry speaking about African Parks on Sept. 23, 2024 in New York City.Photo:Sussex.com

Sussex.com

Prince Harrysupported an important cause on the first day of his New York City trip.

On Sept. 23, the Duke of Sussex, 40, appeared at an event for African Parks during his solo trip to N.Y.C. Prince Harry kicked off his whirlwind visit a week after his40th birthday. The African Parks event was the third outing of his jam-packed day.

King Charles' son got involved with African Parks in 2016, where he joined the team in Malawi to help implement phase one of the 500 Elephants project, one of the most ambitious elephant translocations in history. He became president of the non-profit conservation group that manages national parks across the continent the following year, and his promotion to the Board of Directors, the organization’s governing body, was announced in 2023.

Prince Harry attends an event on behalf of African Parks on Sept. 23, 2024 in New York City.Sussex.com

Of Harry’s visit eight years ago to Malawi, the statement read, “This experience profoundly shaped his understanding of conservation and its extensive impact. He expressed how this pivotal moment further fueled his commitment to the continent as well as his passion for Africa’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.”

African Parks oversees 22 protected areas in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Harry has toured several of the aforementioned countries for this work. In August 2022, he co-hosted U.S. officials, conservationists and philanthropists on a tour of protected wildlife and nature preserves under the management of African Parks in Zambia, Mozambique and Rwanda.

“By cultivating collaborations and backing initiatives like those of African Parks, we can help preserve Africa’s natural splendor and ecological richness for future generations,” the statement from Harry’s office concluded.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks onstage during Day 2 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on Sept. 24, 2024 in New York City.Craig Barritt/Getty

Craig Barritt/Getty

The 2016 trip — and Prince Harry’s affiliation with African Parks — predates his step back from his royal role in the U.K. with his wifeMeghan Marklein 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to her home state of California, and remain based there with their childrenPrince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3.

In January, the Duke of Sussex wasurged to step downfrom the board of African Parks following a report that its rangers raped, beat and tortured indigenous people in Africa.

Prince Harry views an anti-poaching demonstration in Malawi in September 2019.Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

TheMail on Sundaydid not disclose when these alleged atrocities took place.

Amid the backlash, African Parks issued astatementfrom the CEO and the board to underscore its zero-tolerance policy for abuse. The statement emphasized that an ongoing investigation into the allegations made involving the guards at Odzala-Kokoua National Park was its “highest priority.”

Prince Harry in Malawi in September 2019.Dominic Lipinski - Pool /Getty Images

Dominic Lipinski - Pool /Getty Images

“African Parks has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse and is committed to upholding the rights of local and indigenous people. Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and acted on, and all of our parks are managed with a central philosophy of awareness, sensitivity and commitment to upholding the rights of local people,” the message said in part.

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When Prince Harry’strip to N.Y.C.was announced in August, African Parks was among the causes his spokesperson said he would step out to support.

“During UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week in New York City, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, will be in town to advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives,” a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said. “He will participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst.”

“In addition, he will be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex,” they added.

He also proposed to Meghan with anengagement ringfeaturing a center gem ethically sourced from Botswana, connecting back to theirtrip therein the early days of their courtship in the summer of 2016.

source: people.com