In a dramatic turn of events, Prince Harry has found himself embroiled in a fierce row over bullying allegations involving the charity he co-founded, Sentebale, which supports vulnerable children in southern Africa. The controversy erupted following Harry's resignation as a patron of the organization, a decision he described as "truly heartbreaking" and prompted by a breakdown in his relationship with the charity's chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
The turmoil began when Harry, alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, announced their resignation on March 25, 2025, citing an "untenable situation" with Chandauka. In their joint statement, the princes expressed their shock at the breakdown in the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair, which they claimed had deteriorated beyond repair. They stated, "These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind." The princes also indicated their intention to raise concerns with the UK government's Charity Commission.
Chandauka, who has been at the helm of Sentebale since 2024, responded to the resignation by accusing Harry of "harassment and bullying at scale" during an interview with Sky News. She alleged that Harry had authorized the release of damaging information without informing her or her team, describing his actions as an "unleashing of the Sussex machine" against her and the charity's employees. "Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organization and their families?" she asked, highlighting the impact of his resignation on the charity.
Chandauka's comments have sparked outrage among royal sources, who have labeled her claims as "highly misleading" and "baseless." Sources close to Harry argued that the allegations were a deflection from the chair's mismanagement, asserting that the trustees' resignation was a direct result of her leadership failures. They emphasized that Harry's requests were approved by board members and dismissed Chandauka's portrayal of events as completely unfounded.
The situation escalated when Chandauka accused Harry of allowing his Netflix crew to disrupt a key fundraising event, claiming that his actions resulted in negative press for the charity. She recounted a specific incident where Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, attended a charity polo match, leading to chaos on stage and a media backlash. Chandauka stated, "I knew what would happen if I issued a statement in support of the Duchess; we cannot be an extension of the Sussex PR machine." This incident further fueled tensions between the charity's leadership and the Sussexes.
In the wake of the resignations, five trustees have also stepped down, including Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, and Audrey Kgosidintsi. These former board members expressed their deep pride in supporting the charity but cited a loss of trust in Chandauka as the reason for their departure. In their resignation statement, they said, "Today's decision is nothing short of devastating for all of us, but we see no other path forward as the result of our loss in trust and confidence in the Chair of the board." They criticized Chandauka's management style, describing it as dictatorial and detrimental to the charity's mission.
Chandauka's response to the resignations has been combative. She has reported the trustees to the Charity Commission, claiming that they have behaved as if they are above the law. In her Sky News interview, she stated, "There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct." Her allegations include claims of poor governance, abuse of power, and misogyny, which she asserts have plagued the organization.
The Charity Commission has acknowledged that it is aware of concerns regarding Sentebale's governance and is assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps. This investigation comes at a critical time for the charity, which has been navigating a transformation agenda aimed at addressing youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in Southern Africa.
As the fallout continues, royal commentator Juliet Rieden has suggested that the situation remains far from resolved. "For Princes Harry and Seeiso, I am sure this is not over," she remarked. "If the Charity Commission finds that Dr. Chandauka should have accepted the decision of her board and stepped down, then I am certain the princes will return to the charity."
In the midst of these accusations, Chandauka has maintained that her relationship with Harry was strong until the recent events unfolded. She described him as a committed individual who had previously supported her initiatives. However, she expressed concern that the board's dynamics had shifted, leading to a culture where some members felt entitled to mistreat her.
The implications of this conflict extend beyond the boardroom, as the public is keenly aware of the Sussexes' history of advocating against bullying and mistreatment. The irony of Harry being accused of similar behavior has not gone unnoticed, and it raises questions about the dynamics of power and privilege that continue to shape their narrative.
As this saga unfolds, it serves as a reminder that the challenges faced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not confined to their royal past but have followed them into their philanthropic endeavors. The future of Sentebale hangs in the balance as the Charity Commission investigates the governance issues, and the public watches closely to see how this story develops.
