Prince Harry's Former Charity Suddenly Disables Instagram Comments amid Controversy

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Sentebale, an African charity cofounded by Prince Harry, has disabled Instagram comments due to "targeted online harassment"
Harry and Prince Seesio of Lethoso co-founded the organization in 2006; however, they resigned as patrons earlier this year amid a leadership crisis
The U.K.-based Charity Commission is currently investigating Sentebale and its chairwoman, Dr. Sophie ChandaukaPrince Harry's former charity, Sentebale, has disabled Instagram comments amid claims of "targeted online harassment."
The organization, which was co-founded by Harry and Prince Seesio of Lethoso, shared a statement on Instagram on Friday, June 13, explaining the change.
"Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily disable comments on this platform due to the harmful effects of recent targeted online harassment," the statement read. "Our focus remains on our mission and the communities we serve. We will not engage with misinformation or personal attacks here.
The statement concluded by thanking "those who continue to support and follow the work of Sentebale."
The princes founded the charity in honor of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, in 2006. Sentebale's focus is on lifting up young people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Lesotho and southern Africa.
However, a scandal rocked the organization earlier this year. In March, the princes announced that they had made the "devastating" call to resign as patrons of Sentebale, following a breakdown in the relationships between the organization's board of trustees and its newly appointed chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
In a joint statement at the time, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, "What's transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale's beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about."
"With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same," they continued. "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."
Ultimately, the trustees also stepped down after Chandauka threatened to sue them for questioning whether she was the right choice to lead the organization.
The princes' statement concluded, 'Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care."
On April 3, the U.K.-based Charity Commission announced that it had opened 'a regulatory compliance case' into the turmoil at Sentebale. The commission will 'gather evidence and assess the compliance of the charity and trustees past and present with their legal duties.'
In response to the news, Harry issued a statement, bemoaning the fact that, amid the organizational infighting, "No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.'
'On behalf of the former trustees and patrons, we share in the relief that the Charity Commission confirmed they will be conducting a robust inquiry," he continued. "We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign. We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.'
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At the time, Chandauka said she first reported "various governance, administration and management matters" about the organization in February 2025, promising that she would share her internal findings with the Charity Commission.
'We hope that, together, these actions will give the general public, our colleagues, partners, supporters, donors and the communities we serve comfort that Sentebale and its new Board of Trustees are acting appropriately to demonstrate and ensure good governance and a healthy culture for Sentebale to thrive," she said in her statement.
'In the meantime, our exceptional Executive team and operational staff remain focused on the day-to-day operations of the charity, ensuring continuity in our work and mission delivery," she added.
'We appreciate the patience, understanding and tremendous support we have received from our existing and prospective partners and supporters, and look forward to continuing to work together with you as we recalibrate for an ambitious future."
Read the original article on People