6 days ago
Prince Harry condemns Sentebale charity boss for acting in the 'poorest taste' by referencing Princess Diana after she won control of duke's 'life's work' that royal fears will 'go down in flames'
Prince Harry believes the boss of Sentebale acted in the 'poorest taste' by invoking Princess Diana 's memory after she retained control of the charity he set up to continue his mother's work in Africa, a source close to the royal has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex is said to have been left 'devastated' by the boardroom battle that saw him leave the organisation after 19 years, which he fears will now go 'down in flames'.
Harry, who co-founded Sentebale in 2006, is said to consider it a 'hostile takeover' of the charity by chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka who he claims has destroyed his 'life's work'.
'She's allowing it to go down in flames because of her own pride and hubris… he has for the last 19 years established this charity from nothing', a source close to Harry claimed.
A dispute earlier this year prompted Harry to step down as patron in support of trustees who resigned in opposition to Dr Chandauka, who then accused him of 'harassment and bullying at scale' - a claim that is vehemently denied.
On Tuesday, the Charity Commission published a report criticising all sides for making the fallout public with interviews and statements, but the war of words continues.
Dr Chandauka then vowed to honour the founding mission of Sentebale in memory of the Duke's late mother after the watchdog ruled she could stay in her position.
But sources close to Harry, who co-founded Sentebale in 2006, have criticised the chair, saying her 'hostile takeover' of the charity had destroyed his 'life's work'.
The Charity Commission yesterday revealed it had found 'no evidence of widespread or systematic bullying or harassment including misogyny or misogynoir' following a bitter boardroom battle at Sentebale.
Neither side was satisfied with the final adjudication, which criticised all parties involved, and, although the regulator urged all to be 'mindful to channel their belief in the charity's mission in a constructive and collaborative way', there seems little hope of the row going away.
Dr Chandauka said: '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.'
But a source close to Harry said in response: 'For Sophie Chandauka to have invoked Princess Diana's memory in her own defence was in the poorest possible taste.
'She's got what she wants, which is control of the charity, but unfortunately the people who suffer most out of all of this… are the children of Lesotho and Botswana.'
Speaking to the Telegraph, the source added: 'The most devastating thing for Prince Harry in all of this is that his life's work and all the money he was able to pump into Lesotho and Botswana through his work has gone down in flames.'
Sentebale meanwhile has appeared to suggest allegations made by Dr Chandauka of bullying, harassment and misogyny at the charity - which the commission found no evidence of - may be pursued against individuals through 'avenues more appropriate'.
Another source said: 'This has been emotionally absolutely devastating for Prince Harry and (Sentebale co-founder) Prince Seeiso (of Lesotho). What's been perpetrated over the last few months is nothing short of a hostile takeover.'
Seeiso also stepped down as patron of the charity which works in Botswana and Lesotho supporting the health and wellbeing of young people, especially those with HIV and Aids.
The source added: 'You have to remember Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry started this charity nearly two decades ago to honour the work and continue the legacy of their mothers Queen Mamohato and Princess Diana, and the work that they had done in southern Africa to support those living with HIV and Aids.
'In the 19 years that they have worked with this charity, and a lot of the former board of trustee members, they have raised tens of millions of pounds and distributed tens of millions of pounds.'
The commission criticised all parties in the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly and described how all trustees contributed to a 'missed opportunity' to resolve the issues that led to the serious disagreement which risked undermining public trust in charities generally.
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 acknowledged 'the strong perception of ill treatment' felt by some involved.
After conducting its regulatory compliance case the commission issued a Regulatory Action Plan with Sentebale saying it had complied with the steps, from implementing an internal dispute policy to improving the charity's complaints and whistle-blowing procedures.
The trustees who resigned said in a statement they were 'gravely concerned for the future of the charity' adding they were 'disheartened' by the way the regulator had 'chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale's chair'.
Sentebale said in statement: '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, misogynoir 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.'
