What happened with Prince Harry's charity Sentebale?

Metro

4 days ago

There was 'no evidence' of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny at Prince Harry's charity after he quit spectacularly as patron of a charity.
The Duke of Sussex, alongside his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and several trustees, resigned from Sentebale earlier this year.
The Charity Commission investigated the charity after a whistleblower contacted them about the 'damaging' dispute, which played out publicly.
Dr Sophie Chandauka will remain in place in her leadership role, and no sanctions have been imposed on the charity, but the commission has criticised 'all parties' over the drama.
A spokesperson for Harry said parts of the reports had fallen 'troublingly short', while Dr Chandauka said the 'adverse media campaign' from those who had resigned caused 'incalculable damage' to the charity.
The furore began in 2023 when Sentebale's trustees suggested bringing in a new fundraising strategy in the US.
This led to a serious dispute between the chair of trustees, Dr Chandauka, other trustees, and Prince Harry, one of the charity's patrons.
The trustees wanted Dr Chandauka to resign over the dispute, but she refused.
She went on to sue the charity and raise her concerns with the Charity Commission, who opened an investigation in April to ensure all of the charity's current and former trustees fulfilled their duties under charity law.
Their findings, published today, revealed: The delegation of certain powers to the chair, including consideration of an 'executive chair' role, was a confusing, convoluted and poorly governed process, with a lack of clearly defined delegations over time
The then trustees failed to have proper processes and policies in place to investigate internal complaints
More generally, a lack of clear policies contributed to the failure to resolve disputes It was not satisfied that public statements made to the media and public criticism made in television interviews, were conducted in a way that served the charity's best interests
It found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity. However, the commission acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally
It also found no evidence of 'over-reach' by either the chair or the Duke of Sussex as patron, but the commission is critical of the lack of clarity in delegations to the chair which allowed for misunderstandings to occur
The report concluded: 'All the charity's then trustees contributed to a missed opportunity to resolve issues which led to the dispute.
'Strategic and financial difficulties that had emerged for the charity following the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the tensions that arose.
'As made clear to all parties in this case, if disputes do occur, the regulator recommends seeking mediation, showing good will and acting in good faith.
'It also encourages all trustees to be mindful to channel their belief in the charity's mission in a constructive and collaborative way.'
Prince Harry said in a joint statement with Prince Seeiso at the time: 'With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.
'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.
'These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind.
'In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.'
The princes also said they would be 'sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about'.
Former trustees who also stepped down – Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr Kelello Lerotholi and Damian West – said the decision is 'nothing short of devastating' for all of them.
They added in a statement: 'This was not a choice willingly made, but rather something we felt forced into in order to look after the charity.'
Dr Sophie Chandauka is the chair of trustees at Sentebale. The dispute within the charity escalated after she refused to step down from her position.
In a statement at the time, she said: 'There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.'
She added this was the 'story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued'.
The statement continued: 'For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a worldclass education and career.
'I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means.
'I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale.
'I will continue to faithfully perform my role as chair of the board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa.'
Dr Chandauka is still chair of the board of trustees at Sentebale, and has been since July 2023.
Based in New York, she is chair and co-founder of Nandi Life Sciences, a funding company which supports scientists developing treatments for rare diseases and autoimmune disorders.
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Sentebale was founded by Harry in 2006 and aimed to address the impact HIV and Aids has on young people living in Botswana and Lesotho.
Harry set it up with Prince Seeiso, whose mother died in 2003, after he visited Lesotho during his gap year.
The geographical focus of the charity centres on Lesotho and Botswana and part of the row focusses around a decision to focus fundraising largely in Africa.
Sentebale says it is on track to help at least 78,000 children and young people across both African countries in 2025.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam told Metro that Prince Harry will be taking this news personally because of his deep affinity to Africa.
He said: 'Harry is deeply committed to Sentebale so I was shocked to hear the news this morning.
'It is significant to him because he has worked to lift the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids in some of the poorest countries in Africa.
'The charity is also close to his heart because it was founded in his mother's Diana's memory.
'His involvement in the charity and with Africa is profound so he will be feeling this loss deeply.
'It certainly seems like there could be a lengthy court battle ahead and more details could potentially emerge but only time will tell.
'In terms of how it will impact Harry's public image, that depends on what is yet to come.'
The charity restructured its board in March 2025, making it smaller, and says that as a result it has 'proved agile and able to respond quickly to the needs of the organisation and requirements of the Charity Commission'.
It also says it has reduced its costs by about 25% on a yearly basis, and has put in place an action plan to address governance issues raised by the commission.
Dr Chandauka said in a statement released today: 'I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025. More Trending
'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.
'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.'
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