Prince Harry's Love For Africa Has a Bittersweet Connection to His Late Mother

Updated on Jan 4, 2017 at 9:00 PM

Prince Harry is known for being an activist, but one project that's particularly close to his heart is his work with African Parks. The famous royal recently opened up about the nonprofit organization in the February issue of Town & Country as he worked alongside volunteers, vets, and experts in Malawi to help relocate nearly 500 elephants. Aside from looking devastatingly handsome on the front cover, he also talks about the importance of protecting wildlife and how his relationship with Africa stems from his late mother, Princess Diana. See his best quotes ahead.

On his relationship with Africa: "I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags — we were going to Africa to get away from it all. My brother and I were brought up outdoors. We appreciate nature and everything about it. But it became more . . . This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I wish I could spend more time in Africa. I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here. To not get recognized, to lose myself in the bush with what I would call the most down-to-earth people on the planet, people [dedicated to conservation] with no ulterior motives, no agendas, who would sacrifice everything for the betterment of nature . . . I talk to them about their jobs, about what they do. And I learn so much."
On his commitment to saving wildlife: "Everyone has a different opinion; every country has a different way of doing things. But I do believe that we need a regulatory body so that everyone who owns or manages wildlife is subject to inspection and rated on how well they look after the animals and how the communities benefit. I know I'm going to get criticized for this, but we have to come together. You know what Stevie Wonder said: 'You need teamwork to make the dream work.' I use that a lot."

On why he's not afraid of being near wild animals: "I've done this a few times before. Also, I'm fatalistic. If something is going to happen to you, it will happen. And I have such a respect for wild animals that it's a privilege to be around them. Plus, the army taught me teamwork."
On his passion for wilderness and conservation parks: "These are very special places, but they are islands with a sea of people around them. I do worry. I think everyone should worry. We need to look after them, because otherwise our children will not have a chance to see what we have seen. This is God's test: If we can't save some animals in a wilderness area, what else can't we do?"