Inside Prince Harry’s deteriorating relationship with Africa

Prince Harry, once a popular British royal in Africa, is no longer the country’s pride — thanks to years of gradual developments.

While the Duke of Sussex gained Africa’s trust by establishing an admirable system of multiple philanthropic programmes and individual efforts, it is that same network which he now stands to lose his reputation over.

A prince in Africa

First stepping foot on the continent when he was just 13 years old, mere months after his mother’s death, Harry fell in love with Africa at first sight.

Describing the trip when he discovered several African wonders, and even met Nelson Mandela, royal expert and author Ingrid Seward said, “Harry discovered an emotional part of himself on that trip, which is why he will always want to help the people and the wildlife there.”

Returning to the serenity of the African wilderness again and again, the land of the safari even captured the Duke’s imagination so far as to become a romantic getaway for him. He embarked on a few excursions to Africa with his first serious girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. Later bringing Meghan Markle, the woman he would eventually marry, to the landlocked Southern African state of Botswana, marking the couple’s first overseas holiday together.

The troubles

Harry’s troubles began during the early part of this year when he and his founding partner, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, were forced to resign as patrons of their joint organisation — Sentebale. Labelled a toxic work environment, riddled with allegations pertaining to discrimination and harassment, the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka waged a public war against the charity and its board members.

The Telegraph has reported, “The Charity Commission investigated and found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny, but concluded that all parties were to blame for starting a public row that harmed Sentebale’s reputation.”

Though worth mentioning is the fact that Dr. Chandauka got to retain her position.

African Parks became the second of the charities associated with Prince Harry to see its name smeared through the mud this year, when Chad unexpectedly severed its association with it after 15 strong years.

The organisation, which the Duke joined in 2016 before being promoted to its governing board of directors in 2023, was branded “‘disrespectful’ and suggested it had a ‘whiff of neo-colonialism’” by the environment ministry of the Central African country.

The future

The only verdict available on Prince Harry’s future in Africa comes from a source close to him, who revealed back in August, “He may well choose to just support existing charities operating in the same space in the region or he may choose to set up something new completely.”

Meanwhile, the concrete proof of his bond with Africa is perhaps reflected only through his Invictus Games Foundation — the charity, founded by the Duke of Sussex to help and encourage wounded veterans around the world, was part of the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Summit in Nigeria, September 2025.