The ongoing dispute between Prince Harry and Dr Sophie Chandauka, chair of the charity Sentebale, has escalated into a severe public conflict following Harry’s recent resignation from the organisation he co-founded. The Duke, along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, established Sentebale in 2006 in honour of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity focuses on supporting children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. However, the recent developments have sent shockwaves through the charity landscape.

Last week, Prince Harry announced his decision to step down as patron of Sentebale, a move that has been described as both “heartbreaking” and “devastating.” In a joint statement released with co-founder Prince Seeiso, they expressed their disappointment over a breakdown in the relationship between the charity’s trustees and its chair, Dr Chandauka. They stated, “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.”

In response, Dr Chandauka accused Harry of fostering “poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir.” Speaking to multiple outlets, including Sky News and the Financial Times, she claimed that Harry’s public persona had become a “toxic” element detrimental to the organisation’s operations. “The number one risk for this organisation was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand,” she said.

The fallout includes an incident that transpired during a Sentebale fundraising polo event in Florida in April 2024, where Meghan Markle’s unexpected arrival caused further tension. Dr Chandauka recounted how she had been informed that Meghan would not attend the event, only for the Duchess to appear last-minute, accompanied by tennis star Serena Williams. This led to a chaotic stage moment during which Meghan reportedly asked Dr Chandauka to move away from her husband, Prince Harry, to facilitate a more flattering photo opportunity, as seen in footage that has circulated widely online. Dr Chandauka described the experience as awkward and suggested that it highlighted a lack of professionalism surrounding the event.

In her interviews, Dr Chandauka also attributed setbacks in securing funding and donor relationships to Harry’s high-profile media escapades, including his Netflix series, which she claimed detracted from the charity’s mission. Allegations have surfaced that Harry had requested to film parts of the polo event for his show, which altered the logistics of the fundraiser to the detriment of Sentebale. “Nobody signed up to being on a Netflix show,” she remarked, indicating that the attempt to incorporate filming prompted venue owners to revise their terms, thus increasing costs and complicating arrangements.

Following these revelations, representatives for Harry and Meghan have labelled Dr Chandauka’s claims as a “publicity stunt” and vehemently denied any allegations of bullying or harassment aimed at the charity chair. Sources close to the former trustees of Sentebale suggested that Dr Chandauka has faced her own accusations of mismanagement and alleged bullying behaviour towards staff members, with ongoing investigations by the Charity Commission into the governance of the organisation.

Meanwhile, the charity and its leadership dynamics continue to confront mounting scrutiny as both sides trade accusations. The Charity Commission has acknowledged awareness of concerns regarding governance at Sentebale and is assessing the necessary regulatory responses.

As this public feud unfolds, Prince Harry remains divorced from a charitable endeavour that has been significant in his philanthropic efforts since its inception in 2006, bringing considerable attention to the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa.

Source: Noah Wire Services