London – March 30, 2025
The chairwoman of Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has publicly accused the Duke of Sussex of harming the organisation’s reputation, describing his brand as “toxic” and his conduct as “bullying at scale.”
Dr Sophie Chandauka, who recently resigned along with several trustees, told the Financial Times that tensions between her and the prince had been building for a year. She claimed his presence was damaging the charity’s ability to attract donors and hire talent, citing public skepticism due to “mixed messages” surrounding the royal.
In a separate interview with Sky News, she described Prince Harry’s handling of his resignation as an orchestrated “publicity stunt”, accusing him of launching a media attack without informing key charity leaders. “That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale,” she said, defending her leadership and vision for the organisation.
A Royal Rift Unfolds
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who co-founded the charity in 2006 in memory of Princess Diana to support youth affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, stepped down this week, citing an irreparable breakdown in relations between trustees and the chair.
In a joint statement, they expressed “heavy hearts”, blaming a “broken relationship” and stating the board had acted in the charity’s best interests by asking Dr Chandauka to step aside. They added that her decision to pursue legal action against her removal only worsened the situation, and confirmed they would report their concerns to the UK Charity Commission.
Dr Chandauka fired back, accusing Prince Harry of trying to sabotage the charity to later portray himself as a saviour, saying:
“The team is resolved that Sentebale will live on, with or without you.”
She also revealed that Harry’s team allegedly pressured her to defend Meghan Markle publicly, which she declined:
“We’re not becoming an extension of the Sussex PR machine.”
Trustees Resign, Charity Under Scrutiny
Five trustees—Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West—also resigned, citing a complete loss of confidence in the chair. They called their departure “devastating”, stating that legal action left them no choice.
Meanwhile, the Charity Commission confirmed it is reviewing the case, stating:
“We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
Dr Chandauka claims she had “blown the whistle” on broader issues within the organisation, including bullying, racism, sexism, and abuse of power. She says she remains committed to accountability and has formally reported the trustees to the Commission.
A Charity Caught in Royal Crossfire
Sentebale, once central to Prince Harry’s humanitarian image, now finds itself mired in leadership turmoil and reputational risk. Industry experts suggest the conflict could jeopardize future partnerships and funding.
Despite the fallout, Dr Chandauka insists the charity will endure. “My mission is guided by fairness, dignity, and justice,” she said.
As both sides prepare for potential legal and regulatory consequences, what began as a noble cause in memory of Princess Diana has become another chapter in Prince Harry’s increasingly complex post-royal journey.
