Prince Harry has stepped down as the patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago to honor his late mother, Princess Diana. The charity, aimed at helping young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, has been embroiled in a significant boardroom dispute.
Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho established Sentebale in 2006. However, relations between the UK-registered charity’s trustees and the newly appointed board chair, Sophie Chandauka, have deteriorated, leading to Harry and Seeiso’s resignation.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the two princes expressed their shock and regret over the situation, stating, “What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries.” The statement also confirmed that several trustees had already left the organization and called for Chandauka’s resignation.
The exact nature of the rift remains unclear, but Chandauka has claimed she faced personal attacks after raising concerns about the charity’s governance. She has reportedly taken her grievances to the UK Charity Commission and the High Court.
Sentebale, in a response to AFP, acknowledged the evolving nature of the organization, shifting its focus from HIV/AIDS to broader issues like youth health, wealth, and climate resilience across Southern Africa.
Harry and Seeiso emphasized the severity of the breakdown in governance, with the princes expressing their ongoing support for the charity’s trustees. Chandauka, for her part, accused the charity’s leadership of mishandling governance, stating that her efforts to address the issues were met with resistance and cover-up.
Chandauka has also reportedly sued the charity after being asked to resign and has pledged to share her concerns with the UK Charity Commission. In response, the Charity Commission confirmed it was aware of the situation and was investigating the matter.
The controversy continues to unfold as the regulatory body assesses what steps, if any, are needed.
