Prince Harry has expressed that the fallout from his resignation as patron of Sentebale has been “heartbreaking to witness,” and he hopes that the Charity Commission will “reveal the truth that collectively led to our resignations.”
This statement comes after the Charity Commission announced it has launched an inquiry into “concerns raised” regarding the Sentebale charity, following Prince Harry’s decision to step down amid a boardroom conflict.
In his full statement, the Duke remarked: “Since the inception of Sentebale nearly 20 years ago, Prince Seeiso and I have had a clear goal: to support children and young people in Southern Africa in memory of our mothers. The events of the past week have been devastating to witness, particularly as blatant lies hurt those who have dedicated decades to this shared mission. The true victims are the beneficiaries of Sentebale.
“On behalf of the former trustees and patrons, we are relieved to hear that the Charity Commission will conduct a thorough inquiry. We fully expect it to uncover the truth behind the circumstances that forced our resignations. We remain hopeful that this will enable the charity to be placed in capable hands swiftly, for the sake of the communities we serve.”
Reason Behind Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso’s Resignation from Sentebale
Harry and Prince Seeiso jointly announced their resignation last week, citing a breakdown in leadership as the primary reason.
The statement noted, “With heavy hearts, we have stepped down as Patrons until further notice, in support and solidarity with the board of trustees who have also had to make this difficult decision. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board has deteriorated beyond repair, leading to an untenable situation.”
According to The Times, the conflict arises from a loss of trust and confidence in chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer. Dr. Chandauka has since addressed the issue, appearing on Sky News’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, where she accused Harry of attempting to “eject” her from the organization through “bullying” and “harassment.”
She has also claimed that the Duke sent her an “unpleasant” and “imperious” message after she declined to issue a statement defending his wife, according to The Telegraph. It is reported that Harry reached out to the chairwoman following a tense exchange with the Duchess of Sussex at a charity polo match in Miami last April.
