Harry and Meghan Markle are expected in New York tomorrow at a mental health gala where they will be recognised as ‘humanitarians of the year’, Daily Mail reports.
But the ceremony will be overshadowed by a critical letter issued by the government of Chad targeting a charity with which the Duke is closely linked, according to the report by Daily Mail.
The country’s environment minister, Hassan Bakhit Djamous, has accused African Parks – which counts Harry among its board members – of financial misconduct and ‘disrespect’.
In a damning four-page letter, Mr Djamous said African Parks had demonstrated ‘a recurring indelicate and disrespectful attitude’ towards his government.
The charity, of which Harry was president for six years before he joining its board in 2023, looks after more than 20 protected national parks and reserves in 13 countries on behalf of their governments.
Its backers include famous billionaire investors Warren Buffet and Bill Ackman, and it counts the EU, WWF and People’s Postcode Lottery among its supporters.
But Mr Djamous has accused it of illegally collecting tourist revenues, using tax-sheltering bank accounts in the Isle of Man and transferring assets abroad in ‘flagrant violation’ of Chad’s banking laws.
He further claimed there had been a resurgence in poaching and a lack of investment at reserves managed by the conservation group.
The Duke of Sussex has been contacted for comment on the claims – a day before he and Meghan arrive in New York for Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival at the flashy Spring Studios venue.
At the ceremony, they will be feted for their ‘meaningful contributions to advancing mental wellbeing worldwide’ including with young people – having collaborated extensively with Project Healthy Minds, who is giving out the award, in the past.
In a joint statement, Harry and Meghan Markl said: ‘Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives.
‘As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honored to support them.
Were they right to cut ties?
‘We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.’
Project Healthy Minds founder and CEO Phillip Schermer, a former high-flyer at investment firm Blackrock – called it a “privilege” to be able to honor the couple.
And it comes just days after Meghan made a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week, turning heads as she rubbed shoulders with Anna Wintour and Baz Luhrmann at a Balenciaga runway event.
Harry is understood to have stayed home to look after their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lillibet, four.
But the African Parks scandal may loom at the back of the Duke’s mind – coming soon after his very public departure from children’s charity Sentebale after a dispute with chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who called his personal brand ‘toxic’.
She remains in post. A Charity Commission probe earlier this year found no evidence of ‘widespread bullying or harassment’ as she had claimed, but criticised the organisation for lacking proper processes to report allegations of misconduct.
The Chad scandal is the latest issue to befall African Parks after a Mail investigation found evidence that guards managed by the NGO were embarking on campaigns of abuse and intimidation.
Allegations of abuse of indigenous people were upheld earlier this year following an independent investigation, the results of which African Parks has not published.
And the Duke, 41, has not spoken out on either those claims or the latest allegations made by the Chadian government.
He did, however, attend an African Parks event in September 2024, several months after human rights abuses came to light.
African Parks said in a statement it was in talks to ‘better understand the government’s position’ and ‘explore the best way forward to support the continued protection of these critical landscapes’.
‘African Parks will continue to keep its partners and stakeholders informed, as further clarity is obtained,’ the charity said.
It had led anti-poaching efforts and to restore elephant populations at the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes the Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks.