Prince Harry had a golden opportunity to fix charity feud – but he was too busy schmoozing with celebs, claims expert

The Irish Sun

4 days ago

PRINCE Harry had a golden opportunity to fix his charity feud but was too busy trying to impress celebrities, a royal expert has slammed.
The Duke of Sussex sensationally walked away from Sentebale after a damning report accused him of "harming" its reputation.
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Dr Sophie Chandauka blamed Prince Harry's 'toxic' brand for a donor drop
Credit: PA
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A source close to Harry blasted the report and said the prince was 'devastated the chair had been allowed to succeed with a hostile takeover'
Credit: PA
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Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho both quit the charity they set up
Credit: Getty
He was slammed by a watchdog for letting a bullying row damage his African youth charity.
Harry, 40, set up the charity in 2006 in memory of his mum, Princess Diana, for young people and kids living with HIV and Aids.
But he stepped down from his position - alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho - in March earlier this year.
The pair publicly fell out with Dr Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer, who was selected to be chair of the trustees last year.
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Now, royal author Phil Dampier has told The Sun the situation is a "total mess".
He said: "His charity commission report has blamed both sides, both Harry and the former trustees, and the former chairwoman, mainly for airing their dirty linen in public.
"While it is a valid criticism, this doesn't solve the problem."
Mr Dampier noted that if Harry hadn't spent so much time trying to impress in the world of showbiz and celebrities, things may have turned out differently.
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He added: "The chairwoman didn't think that polo matches and Harry playing polo in glamorous locations was a good idea.
"I don't understand why Harry couldn't talk to her more about it and deal with it. If he spent less time in court and going to showbiz and sporting events in California, he would have had the time to deal with it.
Mr Dampier added: "I think he has to share a lot of the blame for not being hands-on enough with this charity. He's taken his eye off the ball and now he's walked away, which is quite sad really.
Prince Harry resigns from his own charity after 'unthinkable infighting' in 'bullying & misogyny' row
"There's a bit of a pattern forming with Harry - when the going gets tough, he walks away. With Megxit, with the decision to leave the Royal Family, and now with a charity which is theoretically very close to his heart.
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"It was founded to honour the memory of his mother. The name actually means 'forget me not'.
It is the latest in a long line of "childish" reactions to things not going his way.
The expert added: "It's quite a childish reaction, he's just flounced off really. He's thrown his toys out of the pram because he hasn't got his way.
"This is part of the problem with both him and Meghan, nothing is ever their fault. They never accept the blame, they always try and blame others."
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Earlier this year, Harry lost his publicly-funded security appeal in a humiliating blow after moaning "my life is at stake" - and faced a £1.5million legal bill.
Harry also bizarrely claimed stripping him of his security was a plot to force him and Meghan Markle back to Britain.
'ROLL UP HIS SLEEVES'
The royal author continued: "It's quite a mess, it's a pattern that's developing. It's sad to see - I don't think he's the brightest knife in the drawer.
"He tends to just flounce off in a bit off a huff, and that's not benefiting anyone. He really needs to roll up his sleeves.
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"You can't imagine Princess Anne not going to meetings, not getting involved with the nitty gritty of her charity.
"With Harry it seems he likes to dip in and out and do the occasional photo, and that's not really enough."
The Duke's spokesperson said he would find alternatives to helping the children supported by Sentebale in Lesotho and Botswana.
They said: "As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former board of trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to - like its namesake - a flowering force for good.
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"With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind - and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began - the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana."
A source close to Harry said he was 'devastated the chair had been allowed to succeed with a hostile takeover', The Times reported.
CHARITY CONTROVERSY
The Charity Commission said chances were missed to settle differences at Sentebale.
The investigation rebuked "all parties" involved, but judged that Dr Chandauka could remain in place alongside the current board.
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It launched a probe when Harry and Prince Seeiso stood down in support of trustees - who quit in a dispute with Dr Chandauka.
David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said the public feud risked overshadowing Sentebale's achievements.
Dr Chandauka slammed the 'adverse media campaign' launched by those who resigned, which had 'caused incalculable damage' to the charity.
She said: "The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned in March has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private.
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"We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact.
"Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato.
"To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation."
The bitter feud appeared to be triggered by the move to transfer the charity's fundraising operation to Africa.
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Board of trustees chair Dr Chandauka said the 'toxicity' of Harry's brand since his move to live in the US had seen a drop in donors.
The decision had caused several key figures to quit the organisation.
The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity.
But it acknowledged 'the strong perception of ill treatment' felt by some involved.
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