Prince Harry issues scathing response after Sentebale probe finds no evidence of ‘bullying, harassment' claims
The Duke of Sussex, 40, issued a scathing response after the Charity Commission for England and Wales announced Tuesday that it discovered no evidence of 'widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir' at the Sentebale charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
10 Prince Harry at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England.
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10 Alix Lebec, Stacey Boyd, Hector Mujica, Prince Harry and Dr. Sophie Chandauka attend a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Getty Images for Sentebale
Although the Commission also announced that it found no 'overreach' by Harry or the African charity's current chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, it criticized both parties for allowing the dispute 'to play out publicly.'
The Commission pointed to poor internal governance at Sentebale and claimed that both Prince Harry and Chandauka's 'failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charity's reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally.'
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said that it wasn't surprising the Commission found no evidence of wrongdoing.
10 Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 9, 2025, in London, England.
Getty Images
'Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale's Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,' his rep began in a statement, per People. 'They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair.'
'Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair's actions will not be borne by her — but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support,' they added.
Meanwhile, an insider close to the Duke of Sussex told the outlet that neither Prince Harry nor Prince Seeiso can envision a return to Sentebale if Chandauka remains the charity's chair.
10 Prince Harry co-founded the youth-focused charity organization in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Getty Images for Sentebale
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso both resigned as patrons of Sentebale in March following Chandauka's shocking claims.
'Both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso are devastated by what has effectively been a hostile takeover by Sophie Chandauka,' the source said.
'This was Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry's life work,' the insider continued. 'They established it 19 years ago and in that time put in blood, sweat and tears and their own money into building this charity up to what it was: a multi-million pound charity that delivered nothing but good for the beneficiary community that is supported in Lesotho and Botswana.'
10 Dr. Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry with guests during a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Getty Images for Sentebale
As for Chandauka, she thanked the Commission and claimed that its findings 'confirmed' her allegations.
'I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions, which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025,' Chandauka said in a statement. 'The experience was intense, and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience.'
'I thank every dedicated colleague and the courageous new Board members who have stayed focused on the mission in the face of unprecedented media glare,' she continued. 'The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private.'
10 The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo with members of the community during a visit to Matlameng â Ha Mahlehle on October 2, 2024, in Leribe, Lesotho.
Getty Images for Sentebale
10 Alix Lebec, Prince Harry and Dr. Sophie Chandauka speak during a Sentebale panel discussion on April 11, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida.
Getty Images for Sentebale
'We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact,' Chandauka added.
The Sentebale scandal kicked off in March when Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who co-founded the charity in 2006 to help AIDS patients in Africa, announced that they were stepping down from their roles as patrons and trustees due to infighting within the organization.
Sentebale's other board of trustee members resigned shortly after, and when Chandauka was asked to step down, she sued to remain in her role as chair.
10 Prince Harry at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024.
Getty Images for Sentebale
10 Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho arrive at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024.
Getty Images for Sentebale
However, Chandauka also alleged that the conflict began when Prince Harry's team asked her to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, from negative media coverage connected to an awkward photo op at a Sentebale event in April 2024.
'I said no, we're not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine,' Chandauka told the Financial Times in an interview on March 29.
The Charity Commission then announced on April 3 that it was launching an investigation 'to examine concerns raised' about Sentebale by Chandauka.
10 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12, 2024, in Wellington, Florida.
Getty Images for Sentebale
Despite the scandal and controversy, an insider told People that Prince Harry is still 'absolutely dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.'
'How that happens, he will keep his options open,' the source said. 'Whether that means raising money for pre-existing charities that are doing good work in those countries or establishing something independent and new.'
'I'm positive that Prince Harry would want to work with Prince Seeiso again and deliver for Lesotho,' they added.
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