In a stunning move, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has announced his resignation as the patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. The 40-year-old royal expressed his devastation at stepping down from the organization, which he established alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity, which focuses on helping disadvantaged youth in Southern Africa, has faced internal turmoil, forcing the Duke to abandon his role.
Harry’s resignation comes amid growing unrest behind closed doors, particularly between the board of trustees and the chairwoman of Sentebale, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. While the specifics of the conflict remain unclear, it is widely believed that Harry’s departure stems from disagreements over a shift in the charity’s focus, particularly the decision to concentrate more fundraising efforts in Africa.
In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso, Harry said, “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.” The statement continued, “It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
The Duke expressed shock at the turn of events, revealing that they will now share their concerns with the Charity Commission to investigate how the situation deteriorated. “What’s transpired is unthinkable,” the statement read. “We have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries.”
Founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso in honor of their mothers, Sentebale — which translates to “Forget Me Not” — was designed to help children facing poverty and HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa. The charity was especially dear to Harry, as his mother, Princess Diana, had a deep love for forget-me-nots, which symbolized the charity’s mission.
However, turmoil has gripped Sentebale in recent months. Multiple high-ranking members have left the organization, including former trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West. In a collective statement, they expressed their decision to resign, citing a “loss in trust and confidence” in Dr. Chandauka’s leadership. “Today’s decision is nothing short of devastating for all of us,” the statement read, emphasizing the collapse of trust in the chairwoman.
In response, Dr. Chandauka fired back, refusing to be intimidated by the exodus of trustees. She accused the departing members of attempting to malign her leadership, claiming that she had raised concerns about “poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and the cover-up that ensued.” In a pointed comment, she added, “There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people.”
The Charity Commission, which is responsible for overseeing charities in the UK, has expressed concern over the governance of Sentebale. A spokesperson for the commission stated, “We are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale and are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
Harry’s resignation follows a string of high-profile departures from the charity. Richard Miller, Sentebale’s CEO, stepped down after five years, shortly after senior staff members Andrew Tucker and Baroness Lynda Chalker left the organization. Johnny Hornby, a former trustee and chairman, also departed in 2022, signaling ongoing instability within the charity’s leadership.
This latest scandal only adds to the list of controversies surrounding Prince Harry and his charitable ventures. With multiple key figures walking away and internal disputes flaring up, the future of Sentebale is now in jeopardy. The Duke of Sussex, once known for his commitment to philanthropy, now faces questions about his leadership and the lasting impact of his work with the charity.
