PRINCE Harry has made the “devastating” decision to resign from his charity after “unthinkable infighting” with the board chair, it is understood.
The Duke of Sussex set up Sentebale, which supports HIV and Aids patients in Africa, in 2006 along with pal Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Harry attending a charity event at Hampton Court Palace in 2019[/caption]
Prince Harry with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho[/caption]
Harry and Meghan at a charity polo match in Florida in 2024[/caption]
A statement from the pair has now cited infighting between the charity‘s trustees and Zimbabwean lawyer Sophie Chandauka, who was appointed as board chair last year.
Speaking to The Sun, she had she had acted with integrity as a “proud African” – despite facing “bullying, harassment, misogyny” throughout her career.
Chandauka is understood to be suing the trustees over calls for her to stand down from the post.
In the statement, seen by The Times but yet to be publicly released, they 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.”
They added that that they supported the trustees’ calls for Chandauka’s resignation – and criticised her decision to take legal action as a result.
An investigation into Sentebale by the Charity Commission is currently underway, over concerns about governance.
A spokesperson for the commission told The Sun: “We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale.
“We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
However, no findings have yet been made, The Sun understands.
A spokesperson for Sentebale told The Times it had undertaken a “restructuring” of the board as “confirmation of its strategy to redeploy senior roles to be proximate to most of the team and programmes in southern Africa”.
Harry set up the charity after visiting Lesotho on his gap year in 2004.
It was on the trip that he met his future co-founder, Prince Seeiso, who had also lost his mum.
In the statement, the pair said they had started the charity, which means “forget-me-not”, in honour of their mums.
They added that they had “heavy hearts” in the wake of the decision, but had no choice but to support their board members.
Sentebale has not received resignations from either Royal Patron, The Sun understands.
Sophie Chandauka’s full statement
Sophie Chandauka MBE told The Sun: “I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected.
“Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.
“My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means.
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.
“Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission?
“Why would the High Court of England and Wales hear her case and issue an emergency injunction to prevent the same Trustees from removing her as the Chair of the Board?
“Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued.
“I could be anyone. I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me. I will say nothing further on this matter at this time.
“I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa.
“For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account.
“I am an African who has had the privilege of a worldclass education and career. I will not be intimidated.
“I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means.
“I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale.
“I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa.”
A spokesperson said in a statement: “We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our Board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year.
“In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa.
“Our highly successful Return to Southern Africa (RTSA) campaign with prospective international funders in October 2024 demonstrated Sentebale’s potential in these domains.
“The RTSA was followed by the announcement of Carmel Gaillard as our Interim Executive Director based in Johannesburg in December 2024.
“This followed Sentebale’s confirmation of its strategy to redeploy senior roles to be proximate to most of the team and programmes in Southern Africa.
“The recalibration of the Board is, therefore, part of Sentebale’s ambitious transformation agenda.”
Harry and Meghan have also carried out charity work together through the Archwell Foundation, which was set up 2020.
The Princes during the opening of the Sentebale Mamohato childrens centre in Thaba Bosiu, Lesotho[/caption]
