Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of the charity Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry, has levelled serious allegations against the Duke following his recent decision to resign as patron of the charity. The announcement came on Tuesday, marking a significant turning point in the charity’s governance and sparking a public feud between Chandauka and Harry.

Chandauka, who has held her position since 2023, claimed that Harry attempted to “eject” her from the organisation through what she described as a prolonged campaign of “bullying” and “harassment.” Speaking on Sky News’s “Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips,” she stated, “Really, what Prince Harry wanted to do was to eject me from the organisation and this went on for months.” She elaborated on her accusations, asserting that there were board meetings where executive team members expressed concern over her treatment. “There were board meetings where members of the executive team and external strategic advisors were sending me messages saying, ‘Should I interrupt? Should I stop this? Oh my gosh, this is so bad’,” she added.

Chandauka further indicated that the Duke was involved in a “cover-up” related to a whistleblower complaint she had filed, which addressed claims of bullying and misogyny within Sentebale. She alleged that Harry’s interference in the investigation led to her removal from the board, which she described as part of an ongoing “toxicity” impacting the charity, exacerbated by the media scrutiny surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since their relocation to the US.

In a joint resignation statement with Prince Seeiso, Harry stated that it was “devastating” to part ways with Sentebale due to a “breakdown” in confidence between the charity’s board and its leadership. His decision followed a reported failure among trustees to maintain trust in Chandauka’s leadership, a point she refuted by framing her whistleblower complaint as the necessary cause of the difficulties.

Chandauka’s remarks were met with skepticism by sources close to the former trustees and patrons of Sentebale, dismissing her comments as a mere “publicity stunt”. They maintain their resignation was essential for the good of the charity and expressed hope for clarity regarding the unfolding situation.

In addition to her accusations against Harry, Chandauka described a significant incident involving Meghan Markle at a charity polo match in 2024, where Meghan allegedly caused disruption by attending unexpectedly with Serena Williams, thereby complicating the event’s logistics. Chandauka recounted her discomfort during the event, stating it detracted from the charity’s mission and branding efforts.

Moreover, she claimed that Harry’s request to bring a Netflix film crew to a fundraising event in Miami led to complications that resulted in the charity losing a venue. She indicated that the venue owners required consent that had not been sought, transforming the event into a commercial undertaking and effectively putting the charity’s plans in jeopardy.

Amidst the ongoing turmoil, the Charity Commission has acknowledged that it is aware of governance concerns within Sentebale, stating, “We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”

Harry’s involvement with Sentebale dates back to 2006, born from his experiences in Lesotho during a gap year, and has been described as a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. This chapter in the charity’s history may represent a significant shift as it seeks to navigate the fallout from the recent events and ongoing public scrutiny.

Both the Duke and the charity have been contacted for comments on the allegations and the current state of governance.

Source: Noah Wire Services