Prince Harry Resigns from Sentebale Amid Charity Dispute

The Duke of Sussex steps down from the African charity he founded, citing internal conflicts and a lack of trust in leadership.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has officially resigned from Sentebale, the African charity he established in 2006, following a series of internal disputes that have led to significant tensions within the organization.

Harry, alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, reported feeling 'in shock' and 'truly heartbroken' over the circumstances leading to their decision to step down as patrons on Tuesday.

Sentebale was created to support children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana grappling with poverty and the impacts of HIV and AIDS.

The charity, whose name translates to 'Forget me not,' was inspired by Prince Harry's visit to Lesotho during his gap year, honoring his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The resignation comes amid a conflict involving trustees and Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of the board, who was appointed in 2023. Reports indicate that the disputes centered around the charity’s focus on fundraising initiatives in Africa.

In their statement, Harry and Seeiso noted that the trustees acted in the charity's best interests by calling for Chandauka's resignation, which resulted in her seeking legal action against Sentebale to retain her position.

Former trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West have also expressed their unanimous resignation from the board, citing a loss of trust and confidence in the chair as a key factor in their decision.

They characterized the situation as 'devastating' but felt compelled to act to ensure the charity's integrity.

A spokesperson for Sentebale confirmed that the resignations of the royal patrons have not yet been formally received by the organization.

The charity also announced plans for restructuring its board by March 25, 2025, intending to bring in experts who can further its objectives.

In defense of her leadership, Chandauka articulated her commitment to the organization's integrity and mission, emphasizing fairness and equitable treatment.

She addressed the actions taken against her and the allegations of poor governance, stating that her resistance to alleged misconduct has led to her being targeted by former trustees.

The developments at Sentebale are being closely monitored by stakeholders involved with the charity and the broader community, reflecting ongoing challenges in governance and operational management within nonprofit organizations.