A leadership crisis at Sentebale, the African charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, has intensified, with its chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, accusing the Duke of Sussex of bullying and involvement in a cover-up.
The dispute, which erupted publicly last week, led to the resignation of both Harry and Prince Seeiso from the charity they founded in 2006 to support children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Their departure follows what they described as a “devastating” breakdown between the board of trustees and Chandauka, who was appointed chair in 2023.
Allegations of Misconduct and Internal Turmoil
In an interview with Sky News, Chandauka accused Harry of attempting to force her out through “bullying and harassment”, alleging that there was a culture of silence at the organization, with board members reluctant to challenge the prince’s authority.
She also criticized Harry’s decision to bring a Netflix camera crew to Sentebale’s annual polo fundraiser last year and allowing an unplanned appearance by his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Following negative media coverage, she claimed Harry pressured her to release a statement in support of Meghan.
Chandauka alleged that the “Sussex PR machine” was behind efforts to control the charity’s narrative, adding that Harry interfered in an internal investigation into harassment and misogyny within Sentebale, which she had raised concerns about.
“So it’s a cover-up, and the prince is involved,” Chandauka said, adding that Harry actively sought her removal. “This went on for months through bullying and harassment.”
Trustees and Former Officials Respond
Former trustee Kelello Lerotholi dismissed Chandauka’s claims of internal discord, while a source close to the trustees told the BBC that they had “fully expected this publicity stunt” following their resignation.
Meanwhile, former UK politician Lynda Chalker, who stepped down as a trustee in November after nearly 20 years, accused Chandauka of “almost dictatorial” governance, stating she resigned due to disagreements with the chair’s leadership style.
Legal Battle and Charity Commission Investigation
The feud has now escalated to legal action. Chandauka has reported the trustees to the UK Charity Commission and has taken her case to the High Court in London.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, in their resignation statement, accused Chandauka of suing the charity in an attempt to remain in her position after trustees asked her to step down. They also pledged to raise their concerns with the Charity Commission, which confirmed to AFP that it was “assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps”.
Impact on Prince Harry’s Reputation
The controversy marks another setback for Prince Harry, who has retained only a handful of private patronages since stepping down as a senior royal in 2020. While he had previously stated that he was “committed for the rest of my life” to Sentebale, Chandauka downplayed his recent involvement.
“Prince Harry visited Africa for the first time in five years when I asked him to last year,” she claimed, insisting that Sentebale’s future is independent of the prince.
Named after the Sesotho phrase meaning “Forget Me Not”, Sentebale was established as a tribute to Princess Diana. However, as internal turmoil threatens the organization’s stability, its leadership—and legacy—face an uncertain future.
