Prince Harry dealt major blow as another key ally quits

Prince Harry has lost yet another key ally from one of his charities in what's being seen as a blow for the Duke, according to the latest reports. Edward Lane Fox, Prince Harry's former private secretary for five years, who was involved with the Invictus Games from the start, has stepped down as a member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

The former captain of the Household Cavalry reportedly left earlier this year, on February 28, the same day another trustee, Patrick Nicoll, left. Lane Fox was Prince Harry's private secretary from May 2013 until May 2018, and he also served as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private secretary from their wedding the same year until July 2018.

He also backed the Duke on his Invictus charity, which he founded in 2014, becoming a member of its Board of Trustees in 2015.

Reports claimed Harry and Lane Fox appeared to have been "genuinely close," while the ally was described as a "bridge between Harry's old life and new".

According to the Mail's Alison Boshoff, the Sussex office did not comment on the departures. An Invictus source insisted that Harry's old friends within the charity had "fallen away" because they had slowly "moved on" as they had served their maximum term.

Other names to have stepped away from Invictus this year include more of Harry's closest supporters, including JJ Charlmers, a Royal Marine reservist and Invictus Games gold medallist.

The outlet claims the latest departures come amid rumours that those involved with Harry's charity think it could be the time for the Duke himself to get the boot.

It cited a source saying: "It seems it is hard to convince people that you are a philanthropic force for good when there are so many unresolved issues with your own family, who you have accused of being racist and uncaring."

A royal source added: "If Harry were to resign as patron of Invictus, I'm sure they would have no trouble finding a new royal patron."

It comes as the Duke, who is currently in the UK for a four-day visit, quit another one of his charities, Sentebale, earlier this year after a row with its chairwoman Sophie Chandauka.

However, Incictus's support to Prince Harry appeared solid after its chief executive, Rob Owen, insisted the Duke is going nowhere.

Mr Owen said this week: "We are proud to have the Duke of Sussex as a patron and founder.

"The spotlight he brings to the community, and to our work, has changed the perceptions of mental health, of military personnel and of disability worldwide."