Prince Harry Faces Accusations of Bullying from Sentebale Chair Following Departure
Sophie Chanduaka alleges 'harassment and bullying at scale' by the Duke of Sussex after he resigns as a patron.
Prince Harry has been accused of "harassment and bullying at scale" by Sophie Chanduaka, the chair of his African AIDS charity, Sentebale, following his resignation from the organization earlier this week.
In an interview slated to air on Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Chanduaka expressed her concerns about the Duke’s actions, stating, "The only reason I'm here...
is because at some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorised the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors, or my executive director."
Chanduaka's comments highlighted the impact of the announcement on the Sentebale organization, which supports over 540 individuals and their families.
She described the situation as an example of "harassment and bullying at scale."
Earlier this week, Prince Harry announced his decision to step down as patron of Sentebale, attributing his resignation to a purportedly "broken relationship" between himself and the board, which includes Chanduaka.
In response to these accusations, a source close to former trustees of Sentebale stated that the allegations of bullying and the characterization of the "Sussex machine" were without merit.
Chanduaka claimed she was urged by Harry's team to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, against negative media coverage but refused, citing her reluctance to be perceived as an "extension of the Sussex PR machine."
Following Harry's departure from the charity, Chanduaka initiated legal action against Sentebale after the board of trustees voted to remove her from her position.
In a joint statement, Sentebale co-founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho defended the board's actions, asserting that the trustees acted in the charity's best interests while prioritizing staff welfare.
They also noted that Chanduaka's lawsuit underscored the ongoing difficulties within the organization.
Tensions between Chanduaka and the Sussexes reportedly began during a charity polo match last year, where a widely circulated clip showed Meghan requesting Chanduaka to reposition herself during a photo opportunity, resulting in an awkward exchange.
Established in 2006 by Prince Harry, Sentebale aims to assist children and young people in Southern Africa affected by HIV and AIDS, a mission inspired by his experiences in Lesotho during a gap year in 2004.
In an interview slated to air on Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Chanduaka expressed her concerns about the Duke’s actions, stating, "The only reason I'm here...
is because at some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorised the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors, or my executive director."
Chanduaka's comments highlighted the impact of the announcement on the Sentebale organization, which supports over 540 individuals and their families.
She described the situation as an example of "harassment and bullying at scale."
Earlier this week, Prince Harry announced his decision to step down as patron of Sentebale, attributing his resignation to a purportedly "broken relationship" between himself and the board, which includes Chanduaka.
In response to these accusations, a source close to former trustees of Sentebale stated that the allegations of bullying and the characterization of the "Sussex machine" were without merit.
Chanduaka claimed she was urged by Harry's team to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, against negative media coverage but refused, citing her reluctance to be perceived as an "extension of the Sussex PR machine."
Following Harry's departure from the charity, Chanduaka initiated legal action against Sentebale after the board of trustees voted to remove her from her position.
In a joint statement, Sentebale co-founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho defended the board's actions, asserting that the trustees acted in the charity's best interests while prioritizing staff welfare.
They also noted that Chanduaka's lawsuit underscored the ongoing difficulties within the organization.
Tensions between Chanduaka and the Sussexes reportedly began during a charity polo match last year, where a widely circulated clip showed Meghan requesting Chanduaka to reposition herself during a photo opportunity, resulting in an awkward exchange.
Established in 2006 by Prince Harry, Sentebale aims to assist children and young people in Southern Africa affected by HIV and AIDS, a mission inspired by his experiences in Lesotho during a gap year in 2004.
