Prince Harry has officially stepped down from Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago, following a bitter leadership dispute that has rocked the organisation.
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The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho established Sentebale in 2006 to honour their late mothers and provide support to vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana. However, tensions between the board of trustees and the charity’s chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka, have led to mass resignations—forcing Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to relinquish their roles as patrons.
A rift at the heart of the charity
The controversy centres around a dispute over the charity’s fundraising strategy. Several trustees reportedly called for Dr Chandauka to step down, questioning whether she was best suited for the role. She refused, and in response, launched legal action to remain in her position. This prompted trustees to resign in protest, leading to a breakdown in governance.
In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso expressed their devastation over the situation:
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
They added that they would be raising concerns with the Charity Commission in an effort to ensure Sentebale’s future.
Dr Chandauka fires back
Dr Chandauka, a Zimbabwean lawyer who was appointed chair last year, has hit back at the allegations against her, accusing the former trustees of misconduct. In a strongly worded statement, she alleged:
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat others, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm those who challenge their conduct.”
She went on to claim that her fight to remain as chair was not about personal ambition but about protecting the integrity of the organisation:
“I am an African who has had the privilege of a world-class education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something.”
The future of Sentebale
As the dispute escalates, the Charity Commission for England and Wales has confirmed it is assessing the governance concerns surrounding Sentebale.
Prince Harry’s departure marks a significant moment for the organisation, which has spent years tackling poverty, HIV, and AIDS in southern Africa. While he has stepped back, it remains unclear what the future holds for Sentebale under its current leadership.
For now, the once-admired charity finds itself embroiled in legal battles and leadership struggles—far from the vision of unity and support that inspired its founding.
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