Prince Harry Resigns From Sentebale Amid Leadership Dispute

Britain’s Prince Harry has announced his resignation as patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to support young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The decision follows a dispute between the charity’s trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka.

Harry, the younger son of King Charles, established Sentebale in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, honoring his late mother, Princess Diana. The charity's name, meaning "forget-me-not" in Lesotho’s local language, symbolizes their commitment to helping vulnerable children in the region.

However, tensions within Sentebale’s leadership have led to significant upheaval. In solidarity with Harry, Prince Seeiso and the board of trustees have also stepped down, citing concerns over Chandauka’s leadership. Chandauka, in response, has taken legal action to retain her position.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Harry and Prince Seeiso expressed their sorrow over their departure, stating, "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles until further notice." They emphasized that the trustees had acted in the charity’s best interests by requesting Chandauka’s removal.

“Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders and will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right hands,” the statement continued.

While the exact details of the dispute remain unclear, Chandauka has publicly criticized Harry, accusing him of “playing the victim card.” In her own statement, she asserted that her actions were driven by integrity and a commitment to Sentebale’s mission.

“Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organization, its mission, and the young people we serve,” she said, as reported by Britain’s PA Media. She also claimed to have reported the trustees to the UK’s Charity Commission and alleged that a UK court had issued an injunction against her dismissal—though sources close to the matter have denied any such order exists.

“My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means,” Chandauka stated. “There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law, mistreat others, and then play the victim card—using the very press they disdain to harm those who challenge them.”

She further framed the controversy as "the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle on poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and a cover-up that ensued."

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and now resides in California with his wife, Meghan, and their two children, has long championed Sentebale’s mission. The charity, which he founded after a life-changing visit to Lesotho in 2004, remains a cause close to his heart.

In a 2020 speech, Harry spoke passionately about being “struck by the hardship and challenges so many children faced” and how the charity was established in memory of both his and Prince Seeiso’s mothers. He has returned to Lesotho several times, most recently in October, to witness Sentebale’s impact firsthand.

The UK’s Charity Commission has acknowledged concerns about the charity’s governance and stated it is "assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps." Sentebale itself has downplayed the resignations, framing the leadership changes as part of its "ambitious transformation agenda."

Despite stepping away from Sentebale, Prince Harry’s legacy with the charity remains. Whether the dispute will ultimately harm Sentebale’s mission or lead to a stronger organization remains to be seen.