The bitter row that has engulfed Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity, which has seen him quit as patron, has taken another turn with the organisation posting a loaded statement on social media
The bitter row engulfing Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity has intensified, with the organisation issuing a blunt statement. This week, Harry revealed the shock news that he would be resigning as patron of Sentebale, the charity he helped to set up almost 20 years ago in honour of his late mother Princess Diana to help children affected by HIV/AIDs – a move said to have left him “torn apart”.
His resignation along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the charity’s other joint founder, came just hours before its chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka appeared to criticise Harry for “playing the victim card”, and issued a blistering statement alleging there had been “poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir”.
The bitter boardroom battle has now heated up with Sentebale making its first social media post since the spat emerged – and it not only references Harry and his co-founder, but also plays down the role of trustees, while praising “people in the field who are advancing the work”.
It says: “It’s the incredible teams on the ground – our staff and local partners – who bring our mission to life every day, walking alongside the children and young people we serve. While trustees are key for governance and regulation, and patrons – especially founders – are an honour to have, it’s the people in the field who are advancing the work, no matter what.
“Our commitment to supporting youth in southern Africa with better health, stronger livelihoods, and climate resilience remains as strong as ever. The work continues because they deserve nothing less.”
As well as Harry and Seeiso, several trustees have left the organisation in a dispute with Dr Chandauka, having requested her resignation. The dispute is believed to have arisen due to a decision to focus fundraising in Africa.
And now Dr Kelello Lerotholi, one of the charity trustees, who has worked with the charity since it started in 2006 and quit at the same time as Harry, has revealed he is “worried about the emotional wellbeing of both princes” amid the bitter row. He told The Times: “I think given their commitment to the welfare of kids, they are torn apart at the thought of looking like they’re abandoning them when they know that they’re not abandoning them.”
Harry spent two months in the kingdom of Lesotho during his gap year when he was 19 in 2004. It inspired him to establish the charity, which now also works in Botswana. He came face-to-face with Aids orphans, met other traumatised young people, and visited herd boys living a harsh existence looking after cattle in remote mountain areas.
Two years later – in memory of his late mother – he set up Sentebale with Prince Seeiso to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids. Its name means ‘forget-me-not’ – the favourite flower of Harry’s late mother.
In their statement confirming their decision to resign as patrons, Harry and Seeiso said: “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. 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.”
Harry’s role at Sentebale was one of a small number of private patronages he retained after he was stripped of his royal patronages and honorary military positions by the late Queen in 2021. The Charity Commission said it is “aware of concerns about the governance” of Sentebale. “We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps,” the commission said in a statement.
