Travalyst CEO breaks silence on the Duke of Sussex’s role with new campaign

The CEO of an environmental tourism initiative revealed the Duke of Sussex’s future amid claims the ex-royal was dropped from his own project.

Prince Harry has not been fired from his sustainable tourism project despite being dropped from a relaunch of the initiative’s branding, according to the organisation.

Travalyst CEO Sally Davey broke her silence on the Duke of Sussex’s role after the omission of his name from a press release sparked speculation of a split from the ex-royal and his fading star power.

“Prince Harry is the founder of Travalyst and remains an invaluable part of this organisation,” Ms Davey said.

“His role has not changed in any way, and he is regularly involved in strategic discussions and decisions alongside our partners and Board.”

Travalyst did not include the Duke’s name, likeness or any passing reference when it announced on May 24 it was moving from a pilot program into its next phase of growth.

Prince Harry in an ad for Travalyst before the organisation announced a “new phase” without mentioning its ‘founder and patron’. Picture: Supplied

The press release was said to have focused on what was new, being a new group of board members, without referencing those carried over from the pilot phase, such as Prince Harry.

“Today we formally mark the end of Travalyst’s pilot phase with the appointment of a new Board to govern and guide us on our journey ahead to delivering major positive and system-changing impact,” the May press release said.

“The Board is composed of individuals with world-class expertise in impact, systems change, not-for-profit governance, advocacy, and campaigning.

Travalyst, which describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to catalyse sustainability within the tourism industry, still lists Prince Harry on its website as its “founder and patron”.

PRINCE HARRY REVEALS NEXT MOVE

Prince Harry is preparing to leave the US for a whirlwind visit to Asia where he will take part in an annual charity polo match as well as a philanthropy summit.

The Duke of Sussex will travel to Singapore next week to play in the 2023 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup on August 12.

His brother Prince William is also set to visit Singapore for the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony on November 6.

Prince Harry will be joined by his close friend, Sentebale ambassador and Argentine polo player Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Figueras.

But it’s unclear whether his wife Meghan Markle or their two children will be with him.

Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras will visit Singapore and Tokyo. Picture: AFP

Before heading to Singapore, both Prince Harry and Figueras will visit Japan on August 9 to take part in a summit in Tokyo on the power of sport, community and philanthropy.

In a statement, the royal said: “The annual Polo Cup is essential to Sentebale’s vital work ensuring children and young people are healthy, resilient, and able to thrive.

“The funds raised this year will support our Clubs and Camps program, which provides intensive psychosocial support to young people living with HIV.

Sentebale ambassador Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry attend the 2022 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. Picture: Getty Images for Sentebale

“In a time where being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence, we are empowering young people to know their status, stay healthy, and eliminate the stigma so that they can break the cycle.”

The Duke co-founded the Sentebale charity, which supports young people whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.

Its name translates to Forget-me-not, which the favourite flower of his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Meanwhile, royal watchers believe Prince Harry may have been dropped from an eco-tourism initiative that he once spearheaded.

Prince Harry at the launch of Travalyst, an initiative to help transform the travel industry to be more sustainable. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Duke proudly launched Travalyst four years ago to promote sustainability in travel and tourism but any mention of him has been left off the not-for-profit organisation’s latest update.

The London-based Travalyst announced it has entered an “incredibly exciting” era with a new board of directors – but there is no mention of the royal in the line-up, according to Newsweek.

Prince Harry spent three years as the public face of the eco-tourism initiative despite a furore over his use of private jets.

Prince Harry in an ad for Travalyst. Picture: Supplied

In May 2022 he played a starring role in a video for the firm in New Zealand in which he jogged through a forest before being accused of littering.

PR expert Eric Schiffer, head of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek this could be the result of marketing headaches caused by Prince Harry’s attacks on the royal family.

“He has been a lightning rod for negative news that some brands would rather put their finger in an electric socket than touch,” he said.

Newsweek also reported that Prince Harry is still in contact with Travalyst’s chief executive and remains committed to the organisation.

Prince Harry is still mentioned on the website as the leader, founder and patron of the charity in its about section.

It comes just days after an insider told The Sun: “There is a bit of a feeling Harry is spiralling out of control and all is not well.

“Members of his family are worried about how he is coping and his determination to keep having legal battles.”