Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, is embroiled in a growing crisis following his resignation as patron alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso. Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of the charity, has spoken out against the Duke of Sussex after he and the board of trustees stepped down, citing a breakdown in leadership and trust within the organization. In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Chandauka accused Harry and Prince Seeiso of trying to “force a failure and then come to the rescue” of the charity, though a source close to the charity’s board dismissed these claims as “baseless and potentially defamatory.”
The resignation of Harry and Seeiso came after what the trustees say were concerns about Chandauka’s handling of the charity’s finances. A representative for Chandauka, however, denied the allegations, calling much of the information being shared “untrue and defamatory.”
Chandauka also discussed the impact of public backlash surrounding the royal couple’s departure from the royal family, claiming it hurt the charity’s ability to attract new donors and recruit senior staff. She specifically pointed to the “toxicity” associated with Harry’s brand as a key risk to the organization. However, a source countered that the charity had relied heavily on Harry’s involvement, especially through events like the Sentebale Polo Cup, and noted that he had personally donated $1.5 million from his memoir Spare to the cause.
Further fueling the dispute, Chandauka claimed tensions between herself and Harry escalated after a controversial incident during a polo event in 2024. The moment, which saw Meghan Markle moving Chandauka away from Harry for a photo, allegedly led to Harry asking Chandauka to publicly address it, a request she declined. Chandauka later expressed frustration that the charity was becoming an extension of the Sussexes’ PR efforts.
In response, the source from the charity’s board stated that the issues were rooted in governance and not personal grievances, emphasizing that the trustees were committed to ensuring the truth was made public. Chandauka also raised accusations of “misogyny and misogynoir” against the board, claiming discrimination based on both her gender and race. These allegations were strongly denied by trustee Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, who did not witness any such behavior.
As the situation worsens, Chandauka revealed in another interview with Sky News that she faced significant harassment and bullying after Harry and the others left the charity, accusing them of damaging the charity’s reputation without informing her or other key figures beforehand.
The Duke and Prince Seeiso announced their resignation from Sentebale on March 26, 2025, citing irreparable breakdowns in the relationship with the charity’s board. They expressed shock over the situation and pledged to share their concerns with the Charity Commission, which is investigating the matter.
Sentebale was founded in 2006 by Harry and Seeiso in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother ‘Mamohato’, with a focus on supporting young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.