Sir Edmund Hillary's widow, Lady June Hillary, has resigned from the Himalayan Trust he founded nearly 50 years ago.
Lady June left the trust, along with five trust members, in July.
A trust member who doesn't wish to be named, says Lady Hillary's step-children, Sarah and Peter, will now have a greater say in the organisation because they will no longer be blocked by Lady June.
He says Peter will not take control of the trust but it will be more transparent and democratic.
The Himalayan Trust's chairman John Heydon says the remaining council members will now come up with a new council and constitution.
