Prince Harry is facing serious allegations from the chairwoman of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006. Dr. Sophie Chandauka has accused the Duke of Sussex of harassment and bullying, claiming his actions have negatively impacted the organization.
On Tuesday, Harry, along with his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and all five trustees, resigned from the charity rather than continue working under Chandauka’s leadership. In response, Chandauka publicly criticized the Duke, alleging that he deliberately orchestrated a public relations attack against her.
Charity Leader Speaks Out
In an interview with Sky News, Chandauka claimed she was blindsided by the news of Harry and Seeiso’s resignation, which was made public without prior notice to her or key members of the charity.
“The only reason I’m speaking out now is that Prince Harry authorized the release of damaging news without informing me or the organization’s leadership,” she said. “The impact on me and the 540 individuals involved with Sentebale has been devastating.”
Chandauka went on to describe Harry’s actions as a form of large-scale harassment and bullying. She also alleged that he pressured the charity to issue a public show of support for Meghan Markle following a poorly received polo fundraiser she organized. When she refused, citing the need for Sentebale to remain independent, tensions between her and the Duke reportedly escalated.
A Growing Rift
A source close to Sentebale’s former trustees dismissed Chandauka’s accusations as “completely baseless.” The source told Sky News that the resignations were a collective decision made in the best interest of the charity.
“They fully expected this kind of publicity stunt,” the source said. “Despite this, they stand by their decision and look forward to the truth coming to light.”
Chandauka also claimed that Prince Harry attempted to have her removed from Sentebale and alleged that his presence was the primary risk factor affecting the charity’s success. She suggested that his involvement had driven away key sponsors, some of whom were uncomfortable discussing their concerns in his presence.
Allegations of Manipulation
In a separate interview with the Financial Times, Chandauka suggested that both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso had attempted to sabotage the charity’s leadership.
“They want to orchestrate a failure and then step in as the heroes,” she alleged. She further argued that the charity’s main challenge has been the negative public perception surrounding Prince Harry’s brand in recent years.
Her remarks were the first public response since Harry and Seeiso issued a statement accusing her of creating an “untenable situation” at Sentebale. Their statement claimed that the breakdown in leadership led the trustees to ask Chandauka to step down. However, she resisted, taking legal action to maintain her voluntary position within the organization.
“The relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair,” their statement read. “These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity by requesting her resignation while keeping staff wellbeing in mind. In response, she sued to remain in her position, further highlighting the broken relationship.”
Ongoing Investigation
The UK Charity Commission, which oversees charitable organizations, has taken notice of the dispute and is currently assessing the situation.
“We can confirm that we are aware of concerns regarding Sentebale’s governance,” a spokesperson from the commission stated. “We are reviewing the matter to determine appropriate regulatory steps.”
As the controversy unfolds, the allegations against Prince Harry could have lasting consequences for his charitable reputation. Whether these claims will affect his ongoing humanitarian work remains to be seen.
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