LONDON (AP) - On Wednesday, British regulators criticized both Prince Harry and Sophie Chandauka, the chair of the charity Sentebale, for allowing a dispute over the organization to unfold publicly, which they claimed has damaged the charity's reputation. The Charity Commission for England and Wales stated that their inquiry did not find evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny within Sentebale, which is dedicated to supporting young individuals living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho.
The Commission opened a review of Sentebale's governance in April 2023, following Prince Harry's and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho's decision to step down as patrons. This decision coincided with tensions within the charity's board, where Chandauka reported that the relationship between the board and its chair had become irreparable. Chandauka later accused Prince Harry of orchestrating a bullying campaign aimed at her removal.
Conflict regarding the charity's future came to light in early 2023 when the board of trustees attempted to implement a new fundraising strategy in the United States. This internal dispute was first reported to the Charity Commission in February 2025, revealing deep divides among the trustees, including Prince Harry.
The public nature of these disagreements intensified in March 2025 when Prince Harry announced his resignation as patron to align with the trustees who had departed. His role as patron had previously enabled him to leverage his celebrity to garner support and raise funds for Sentebale.
David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, expressed concerns about the fallout from these disputes in a formal statement. He noted that the public airing of Sentebale's issues had not only harmed the charity's reputation but also risked overshadowing its accomplishments and threatened its capacity to provide essential services to its beneficiaries.
In response to the Commission's report, a spokesperson for Prince Harry criticized the findings, suggesting that the report failed to adequately address the implications of Chandauka's actions. The spokesperson emphasized that the consequences of the governance issues would ultimately affect the vulnerable children that Sentebale was established to support. Additionally, they indicated that Prince Harry would explore alternative avenues to continue aiding the youth in Botswana and Lesotho.
Meanwhile, Chandauka welcomed the Commission's report, asserting it validated the governance concerns she had brought to light earlier in the year. She condemned the "unexpected adverse media campaign" launched by the former trustees on March 24, 2025, stating it had inflicted significant damage and highlighted unacceptable behavior that had occurred privately.
Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in 2006 as a tribute to their late mothers, aiming to provide support for young people dealing with the challenges of HIV in Southern Africa. The ongoing developments within the charity suggest a complex interplay of personal relationships, governance challenges, and the impact of public scrutiny on charitable organizations.
