Prince Harry has announced his resignation from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago, following an “unthinkable” controversy within the organization. The Duke of Sussex, 40, established Sentebale with Prince Seeiso in 2006 as a tribute to their mothers.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, Harry and Seeiso expressed their heartbreak over their resignation, revealing that the breakdown in the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board had created an untenable situation.
“Nearly twenty years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers. ‘Sentebale’ means ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, the language of Lesotho, and it has always represented our commitment to the young people we serve,” they stated.
“With heavy hearts, we have stepped down from our roles as Patrons of the organization until further notice, standing in solidarity with the board of trustees, who have also resigned. It is devastating that the relationship deteriorated beyond repair,” they added.
According to The Times, Sentebale is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission. Reports indicate that Sophie Chandauka, the charity’s chair, is suing the trustees and has refused to resign. Former trustees, including Harry’s lifelong friend Mark Dyer, have also stepped down.
In their statement, Harry and Seeiso showed support for the former trustees, saying, “These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity by requesting the chair step down, with staff wellbeing in mind. In response, she initiated legal action against the charity to maintain her position, highlighting the broken relationship.”
They also expressed their commitment to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, stating, “Although we may no longer be Patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when in the right hands.”
The Charity Commission has confirmed its awareness of concerns regarding Sentebale’s governance and stated that it is assessing the situation to determine the appropriate regulatory actions.
What is Sentebale?
Founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in 2006, Sentebale addresses the needs of children and young people in Lesotho, aiming to support those living with or affected by HIV through outreach programs and a dedicated center. The organization’s name translates to ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, symbolizing a promise to never forget the most vulnerable children in the region. Since 2010, the annual Polo Cup has raised over £11 million for Sentebale’s initiatives.
Statement from Former Trustees
Former trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West released a joint statement announcing their unanimous resignation from their roles on the board.
They expressed pride in supporting Harry and Seeiso’s vision, stating, “For two decades, Sentebale has championed the welfare of hundreds of thousands of children and young people. Today’s decision is heartbreaking for us all, but we see no other way forward due to our loss of trust and confidence in the Chair.”
They underscored their commitment to the charity’s mission and the well-being of its staff and beneficiaries, emphasizing, “We could not, in good conscience, allow Sentebale to bear a legal and financial burden we felt forced to avoid. Our hope is that by taking this step, the path ahead becomes clearer for our staff and the communities we serve. Sentebale is too important to us.”
Chair’s Response
Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of the board, defended her actions, stating, “Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organization and the young people we serve.” She alleged she had reported the trustees to the Charity Commission and noted that the High Court issued an emergency injunction to prevent her removal.
Chandauka claimed she faced mistreatment and described her experience as a “whistleblower” regarding issues within the organization. “I will not be commenting further at this time,” she concluded.
