Prince Harry ‘absolutely committed' to charity work in Africa after bitter Sentebale exit
The duke has apparently been left 'devastated' after a commission found in favour of Dr Sophie Chandauka, the current chairperson of Sentebale, who had previously accused him of bullying and harassment.
The Charity Commission which is not allowed to investigate individual allegations of bullying said it found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment at Sentebale.
Harry started the charity with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 as a way of honouring their late mothers.
In response to the finding Harry's spokesperson said the royal remains 'absolutely committed' to continuing the work he started, supporting the 'children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana nearly 20 years ago'.
Harry is now mulling his options and according to a report in the Mail on Sunday he may set up a separate, rival organisation.
All options remain on the table; whether that be starting a new charity or working to support pre-existing charities operating in the same sector in the region
Prince Harry spokesperson
However, the commission criticised all parties for allowing the dispute 'to play out publicly' and concluded that the then-trustees' failure to resolve the disputes internally 'severely impacted the charity's reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally'.
The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso stepped down as Sentebale's patrons in March amid allegations about the charity's governance, saying they made the move 'in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees' who resigned during the infighting.
In response to the commission's findings the trustees also released a statement in which they expressed their 'grave concern' for the future of the charity.
They also said they felt the commission had 'chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale's chair'.
Chandauka, who became the charity's chair in 2023, said she welcomed the commission's findings and that Sentebale (which means 'forget-me-not' in Sesotho) would always be 'inspired' by Harry and Seeiso's vision and mission.
I appreciate the commission for its conclusions which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025
Dr Sophie Chandauka
'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 behaviours displayed in private,' the Zimbabwean corporate finance lawyer said in a statement.
Sentebale also released a statement saying, 'The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the commission's responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes.
'This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny etc.
'As a result, the commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry.
'The issues not investigated by the commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the commission.'
Sources: news.sky.com, people.com
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