Britain’s charity regulator is currently investigating Sentebale, an African charity co-founded by Prince Harry, following the prince’s resignation along with other trustees a week prior. This resignation was prompted by ongoing conflicts with the chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, who later accused Harry of leading a campaign of bullying and harassment to oust her.
Sentebale, established nearly two decades ago in honour of Princess Diana, aims to support vulnerable youth in Botswana and Lesotho. The tensions within the organisation escalated significantly after Harry stepped down from his role on March 26, citing irreparable differences between the board and Chandauka.
In a statement, the Charity Commission indicated that it is actively engaging with both factions to gather evidence for its compliance investigation. The regulator’s objective is to assess whether the current and former trustees, including the chair, have adequately met their legal responsibilities under charity law.
Chandauka has expressed her grievances in a recent interview, highlighting how Harry’s deal with Netflix interfered with planned fundraising activities. She also mentioned conflicts arising from interactions involving his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Harry hopes the Charity Commission will reveal the truth behind the circumstances surrounding his departure. Expressing his sorrow over the situation, he stated that the unfolding events have been disheartening, particularly due to the misinformation that adversely affects those dedicated to Sentebale’s mission. He underscored that the most significant impact of these issues is felt by the charity’s beneficiaries.