The charity faces internal turmoil as board members and its chair engage in a legal confrontation.
**Conflict Erupts at Prince Harry’s Charity, Sentebale, Leading to Resignations**
**Conflict Erupts at Prince Harry’s Charity, Sentebale, Leading to Resignations**
Prince Harry steps down from charity co-founded in memory of his mother amid leadership disputes.
In a shocking development, Prince Harry announced on March 25 his resignation as a patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to honor the memory of his mother, Princess Diana. The charity has been embroiled in a serious dispute that has led to the resignation of five trustees and has put its leadership structure under intense scrutiny.
The resignations stemmed from an escalating conflict between charity chair Sophie Chandauka and the board of trustees. In a joint statement, the five expiring trustees—Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West—expressed their diminishing trust in Ms. Chandauka and called for her resignation. Appointed as chair in 2023, Ms. Chandauka has been accused by the former trustees of creating a climate of distrust within the organization.
As a dramatic turn of events, Chandauka has filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing the board from removing her. The resigning trustees highlighted their decision was not made lightly, as they wanted to prevent the charity from incurring additional legal costs. They stated, “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions.”
The conflict has escalated to the point where both parties have submitted claims and counterclaims to the Britain’s Charity Commission, with allegations of misconduct and mismanagement being exchanged. Although Harry and Prince Seeiso's legacy is deeply connected to Sentebale, the recent upheaval raises uncertainties about the charity's future and its ability to continue serving its mission effectively.
The resignations stemmed from an escalating conflict between charity chair Sophie Chandauka and the board of trustees. In a joint statement, the five expiring trustees—Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West—expressed their diminishing trust in Ms. Chandauka and called for her resignation. Appointed as chair in 2023, Ms. Chandauka has been accused by the former trustees of creating a climate of distrust within the organization.
As a dramatic turn of events, Chandauka has filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing the board from removing her. The resigning trustees highlighted their decision was not made lightly, as they wanted to prevent the charity from incurring additional legal costs. They stated, “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions.”
The conflict has escalated to the point where both parties have submitted claims and counterclaims to the Britain’s Charity Commission, with allegations of misconduct and mismanagement being exchanged. Although Harry and Prince Seeiso's legacy is deeply connected to Sentebale, the recent upheaval raises uncertainties about the charity's future and its ability to continue serving its mission effectively.
