Sentebale rocked by Charity Commission inquiry and Patron departures amid internal conflict
LONDON, UK – A protracted internal conflict within Sentebale, the African charity co-founded nearly two decades ago by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, has culminated in a Charity Commission inquiry and the departure of both founding patrons, leaving the organization’s future uncertain. Former trustees, who resigned en masse in March, have voiced “grave concerns” following the regulatory body’s verdict, which criticized both sides but ultimately left the controversial chairperson, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, in place.
Sentebale, meaning “forget-me-not” in Lesotho’s official language, Sesotho, was established in 2006 by Prince Harry (40) and Prince Seeiso (59) in poignant memory of their respective late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato of Lesotho. For 19 years, the charity has been a vital force for good, providing crucial care and support to over 100,000 young people across Lesotho and Botswana, particularly those affected by the devastating HIV/AIDS crisis and emerging mental health challenges.
The bitter dispute surfaced publicly in March when Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, alongside the entire board of trustees, stepped down from their roles. Their resignation came in “solidarity” with the trustees who had sought to remove Dr. Chandauka from her position as chairperson, a move that reportedly led to legal action by Dr. Chandauka to retain her role.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales launched its inquiry into the charity in April. Its verdict, released late on August 5, criticized the handling of the conflict, noting it had been allowed “to play out publicly” and highlighted “poor internal governance.” The commission stated that a “failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charity’s reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally.” However, the inquiry found no evidence of “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir” within Sentebale, nor did it find “overreach” by either Dr. Chandauka or Prince Harry, clarifying that it does not adjudicate individual allegations.
Reacting to the findings, the former trustees expressed their “disheartened” sentiment to PEOPLE, stating, “We are disheartened by the way in which the Charity Commission has chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale’s Chair.” They noted that a governance review, initiated by the Chair in February 2024, never yielded a report or enacted outcomes, despite her tenure spanning over two years. Their statement concluded with continued “grave concern for the future of the charity and the well-being of the communities we served for 19 years.”
Sentebale’s current board, in a follow-up statement, accepted the Charity Commission’s findings and committed to implementing the regulator’s recommendations. This includes a Regulatory Action Plan aimed at strengthening internal dispute policies, improving complaints and whistleblowing procedures, and establishing clearer processes for delegating authority. The Commission will monitor the progress of this plan.
Dr. Sophie Chandauka, for her part, welcomed the Commission’s conclusions, asserting they “confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2024.” She described the experience as “intense” and a “test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience.” In a March 29 interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Chandauka had previously linked a deterioration in her relationship with Prince Harry to her refusal to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, after an “awkward photo moment” at a Sentebale event in April 2024 led to negative media coverage.
A source close to Prince Harry revealed that he sees “no way back” to the charity while Dr. Chandauka remains in her position. A spokesperson for Prince Harry also commented on the report, stating it “fell troublingly short in many regards.” Despite the setback, Prince Harry remains “absolutely dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.” Allies indicate that the Duke of Sussex is exploring new avenues for his philanthropic efforts in the region, including potentially raising funds for existing charities or establishing a new, independent entity. His commitment to the vulnerable youth of Southern Africa, a mission he and Prince Seeiso began with Sentebale, remains unwavering.
