Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is at the center of a public and growing controversy surrounding Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago. What began as a shared vision to honor the legacy of Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato by supporting young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, has now become a battleground of accusations, power struggles, and reputational risks.
The current crisis unfolded after Prince Harry, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and multiple trustees abruptly resigned from their roles at Sentebale in March 2025, citing irreconcilable differences with the charity’s chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
Chairwoman Sophie Chandauka Speaks Out: “This Is Bullying at Scale”
Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who became Sentebale’s chair in July 2023, did not hold back in a televised interview with Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. She accused Prince Harry of orchestrating a calculated media campaign that blindsided her and senior charity leaders.
Chandauka says she was shocked to learn through media channels that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso were stepping away from Sentebale “until further notice.” The sudden move came without direct communication to her or the executive team, and she believes it was intentionally done to undermine her leadership and credibility.
Chandauka Claims Prince Harry Tried to “Force a Failure”
In an interview with the Financial Times, Chandauka expanded on her concerns, suggesting that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso intended to engineer a collapse of the charity only to later position themselves as saviors:
“They want to force a failure and then come to the rescue.”
She believes her efforts to reform governance, decentralize decision-making, and shift power to local African leadership in Lesotho and Botswana upset long-standing dynamics that had favored UK-based control.
Her initiatives, which included bringing in U.S.-based fundraising firms and empowering African country directors, reportedly led to tension with Prince Harry and the UK donor base. These reforms, Chandauka said, were essential to building a more inclusive, modern charity — but her critics saw them as divisive.
Former Trustees Deny Claims and Blame Chandauka for Mismanagement
In contrast, sources close to Prince Harry and the former trustees claim the decision to resign was due to Chandauka’s own failures. A representative told People magazine:
“The trustees tried to negotiate this privately and requested she consider her position due to their lack of trust and confidence in her as a leader, as demonstrated by the financial position she put the charity in.”
The source added that Chandauka’s handling of finances, poor staff retention, and failed fundraising strategy significantly harmed the charity. These trustees, which include Prince Harry’s former aide Mark Dyer and several respected public health professionals from southern Africa, reportedly feared further decline under her leadership.
They also claimed they foresaw Chandauka’s media push and described it as a “publicity stunt.” Despite the backlash, they remain firm in their decision, stating they resigned “for the good of the charity.”
Chandauka Fires Back: “They Want Me Gone Because I Blew the Whistle”
In an emotional and powerful statement, Chandauka painted a broader picture of systemic dysfunction within Sentebale. She accused Prince Harry and others of attempting to silence her for exposing internal misconduct and advocating for structural change.
“This is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir — and the cover-up that ensued.”
Chandauka also criticized Prince Harry for using his platform to shape the narrative unfairly. Referring to his media strategy, she added:
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who challenge their conduct.”
Netflix, Meghan Markle, and Internal PR Chaos
Adding fuel to the fire, Chandauka revealed that Prince Harry brought a Netflix documentary crew to a Sentebale polo match in Miami, allegedly without prior approval. Meghan Markle also attended the event unannounced, leading to unexpected publicity.
Chandauka claims this created a chaotic situation for the staff and left the organization unprepared for the media attention. Critics say these actions suggest Prince Harry was leveraging Sentebale for personal branding purposes, while his supporters argue the polo match helped raise funds and awareness for the charity.
Decline in Donor Confidence After Harry’s Royal Exit
Chandauka believes the decline in donor interest and sponsorships is directly tied to Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties and the UK. She told The Guardian:
“There was a significant correlation between the drop in donations and when Prince Harry left the UK.”
While others accuse her of failing to maintain donor relationships, Chandauka blames Prince Harry’s tarnished public image, controversial media coverage, and lack of consistency in involvement for driving away both corporate sponsors and individual contributors.
What Happens Now? Charity Commission Launches Investigation
As public attention intensifies, the UK Charity Commission has launched an investigation into the governance and leadership of Sentebale. The watchdog will examine allegations of misconduct, internal mismanagement, and the resignation fallout.
Both Dr. Chandauka and Prince Harry have indicated a willingness to cooperate with the investigation. However, the charity’s future remains uncertain as it deals with leadership voids, declining funding, and reputational damage.
A Charity’s Mission Lost in the Noise
Sentebale was once seen as a powerful symbol of Prince Harry’s dedication to humanitarian causes, especially in Africa. Founded in 2006 in memory of Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato, the charity has helped countless young people with HIV and AIDS through access to psychosocial support, education, and community programs.
Now, its mission risks being overshadowed by internal conflict and competing narratives. As both sides prepare to defend their actions in public and legal forums, supporters of Sentebale fear the charity’s legacy could be deeply compromised.
