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Prince Harry has made the surprising decision to step down as patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago. The move comes amid reported infighting within the organization, which has led to significant turmoil behind the scenes.
Sentebale, which Harry helped launch in Lesotho, focuses on supporting young people and communities by addressing health, economic inequality, and climate resilience. It was a cause close to Harry’s heart—one of the few personal patronages he was allowed to keep after stepping back from royal duties in 2021.
Both Prince Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, have resigned as patrons following a dramatic power struggle within Sentebale’s leadership.
The root of the issue seems to stem from tensions between the charity’s trustees and its chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who was appointed in 2023. The situation boiled over when the trustees reportedly tried to remove Dr. Chandauka from her role, but she fought back—suing the charity in response.
In a joint statement, Harry and Seeiso addressed the conflict, stating:
“These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the well-being of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.”
The statement made it clear that the two princes felt they had no choice but to walk away. They expressed disappointment over the situation but emphasized that their commitment to Sentebale’s mission remains strong.
“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, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
Interestingly, Sentebale itself has not officially confirmed Harry and Seeiso’s resignations. A spokesperson claimed the charity was simply undergoing a board restructuring and bringing in new experts to help push its mission forward.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chandauka has pushed back against the accusations. She insisted that her leadership at Sentebale has always been focused on integrity and the well-being of the young people the charity serves. However, she also accused some individuals within the organization of bullying, harassment, misogyny, and playing the victim.
The UK Charity Commission has stepped in to assess the situation, but for now, the damage has been done—Sentebale has lost its two high-profile founders, and the internal fractures within the organization remain unresolved.
For Prince Harry, this is undoubtedly a huge loss. His work with Sentebale wasn’t just about charity—it was deeply personal, honoring the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana. Given how much he’s invested in philanthropy—through initiatives like the Invictus Games—this latest setback must be incredibly frustrating.
For now, all eyes are on what happens next: Will Sentebale survive the leadership turmoil? Will Harry continue his work in Lesotho through other avenues? And most importantly—will the young people the charity supports still get the help they need?
One thing’s for sure—this won’t be the last we hear about this saga.