Prince Harry has recently found himself at the center of controversy following his resignation from Sentebale, a charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago. Established in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Sentebale was founded in memory of his mother, Princess Diana, with the mission of supporting children and young people in Africa, particularly those affected by HIV and AIDS.
This charity work has been an integral part of Prince Harry’s adult life, contributing significantly to his identity and sense of purpose for nearly two decades. However, this long-standing commitment faced a sudden disruption on Wednesday when Harry and Prince Seeiso announced their decision to resign as patrons of Sentebale. In a joint statement, they expressed their heartbreak over the situation, which arose following a dispute with the charity’s chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who was appointed in 2023.
In their statement, Harry and Seeiso mentioned that the trustees had acted in the best interests of the charity by requesting Dr. Chandauka to step down, while prioritizing the wellbeing of the charity’s staff. They revealed that she had initiated legal action against the charity to retain her position, further highlighting the deteriorating relationship within the organization. “We thank all the trustees for their service over the years and are truly heartbroken they’ve had to follow through with this act,” they stated.
Continuing their statement, they expressed their shock at the circumstances surrounding their resignation, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to the beneficiaries of Sentebale. They pledged to share their concerns with the Charity Commission, the regulatory body overseeing charities in the UK, regarding how the situation unfolded.
In the wake of the resignation, Dr. Chandauka has begun to publicly share her experiences serving as the chair of Sentebale. In an interview with The Financial Times, she disclosed that tensions with Prince Harry had begun to surface a year prior. She accused Harry of attempting “to force a failure and then come to the rescue,” and alleged that his team had requested her to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, against negative press. “I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine,” she asserted.
The situation escalated when Dr. Chandauka spoke to Sky News, where she characterized Harry’s conduct surrounding his resignation as “harassment and bullying at scale.” She further claimed that he was implicated in efforts to cover up an investigation into harassment and misogyny within the charity, stating, “The number-one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand.” Dr. Chandauka maintains that her actions have been guided by principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, and she has reported the trustees to the U.K. Charity Commission.
In response to the unfolding drama, Sentebale has confirmed plans for a restructuring of its board. A source close to the former trustees and patrons described Dr. Chandauka’s allegations as “a publicity stunt.” They reiterated their commitment to their resignation for the greater good of the charity, expressing hope for a forthcoming adjudication of the truth. The ongoing situation raises critical questions about governance, accountability, and the future of Sentebale.
As the narrative develops, The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to both Sentebale and Prince Harry’s team for comments regarding the allegations and the charity's future direction. The unfolding events serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by charitable organizations and their leaders, particularly in the public eye.
