Prince Harry Resigns from Sentebale Amid Leadership Dispute

Prince Harry has stepped down as patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded, following a governance crisis that led to the resignation of five trustees. The dispute centers on Sophie Chandauka, the chair of the board, who refused to step down despite requests from the trustees.

In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho described the situation as an “untenable breakdown”, revealing that Chandauka had taken legal action against the charity instead of resigning. The former trustees also expressed concerns about the impact of the lawsuit on Sentebale future.

Chandauka, however, defended her position, accusing the board of bullying, harassment, and misconduct, and claiming that she had reported certain trustees to the UK Charity Commission. She alleged that “misogyny and abuse of power” were at play in the dispute.

Sent bale responded by stating that the leadership changes were part of a planned transformation to expand its focus beyond HIV/AIDS support to youth health, economic equity, and climate resilience in Southern Africa.

The resignations mark a significant shift for the charity, which was founded in memory of Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso have stepped away from their roles until further notice, raising uncertainty about the charity’s future direction.