Prince Harry Rift Explodes: London: The ongoing turmoil at Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has taken a dramatic turn as board chair Sophie Chandauka has made fresh accusations against the prince, alleging bullying, harassment, and a cover-up.
Earlier this week, Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso announced their abrupt departure from the organization they established in 2006 to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS. Their decision followed a “devastating” boardroom conflict that saw trustees resign and demand Chandauka step down.
Prince Harry Rift and Cover-Up Allegations
In a revealing interview with Sky News, Chandauka claimed that Prince Harry was actively involved in efforts to remove her from her position through intimidation and undue influence. She described a culture of “silence” within the charity, where board members hesitated to oppose the Duke of Sussex.
She also criticized Harry for inviting a Netflix camera crew to the organization’s polo fundraiser, as well as the unplanned appearance of Meghan Markle, which she says led to negative media coverage. Chandauka stated that Harry urged her to issue a statement in defense of Meghan, a move she believes was orchestrated by the Sussex PR machine.
However, former trustee Kelello Lerotholi refuted these allegations, stating he did not recognize the claims of boardroom discontent.
Prince Harry Rift: Accusations of Bullying and Intimidation
Chandauka further alleged that following her complaints of harassment and misogyny within the organization, Prince Harry interfered in the internal investigation, leading to an attempted cover-up. While she initially had a “great relationship” with the prince, she claims his stance changed dramatically after she raised concerns.
“After I spoke out, Harry wanted me out. This went on for months through bullying and harassment,” she stated.
Prince Harry Rift: Trustees Speak Out Against Chair’s Leadership
While Chandauka has accused Harry of misconduct, former British politician Lynda Chalker, who resigned as a Sentebale trustee in November, described Chandauka’s leadership style as “almost dictatorial”. She stated that she left because she was “not happy with the direction” the charity was taking.
A source close to the trustees told the BBC that they “fully expected this publicity stunt” from Chandauka after they resigned.
Prince Harry Rift: Legal Battle and Charity Commission Investigation
The dispute has escalated to legal action, with Chandauka reporting trustees to the UK’s Charity Commission and filing a case with the High Court in London. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso claimed Chandauka had “sued the charity” in an attempt to retain her position after trustees requested she step down.
The Charity Commission has confirmed that it is “aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale” and is “assessing the issues to determine appropriate regulatory steps”.
Prince Harry Rift: Sentebale’s Future Beyond the Prince
Despite the high-profile controversy, Chandauka insists that Sentebale will continue its mission beyond Prince Harry’s involvement.
“Sentebale exists because of the dedicated people in Africa who work tirelessly every day,” she emphasized, adding that the prince had not visited Africa for five years until she invited him last year.
While the prince once declared his lifelong commitment to the charity, his resignation alongside Prince Seeiso marks a significant shift. The charity’s name, Sentebale, means “forget me not” in the Sesotho language, but whether Harry’s legacy with the organization will endure remains uncertain.
Prince Harry Rift Fallout: Reputation at Stake
The public feud within Sentebale has placed Prince Harry’s reputation and philanthropic work under intense scrutiny.
The Prince Harry Rift exposes deep fractures within the organization, with accusations of power struggles, harassment, and governance failures now dominating headlines. With the Charity Commission stepping in and legal battles unfolding, Sentebale’s future remains uncertain but determined to press forward without its royal co-founder.
