Prince Harry has voiced strong concerns over the Charity Commission’s recent report on a damaging internal row at Sentebale, the African children’s charity he co-founded.
The Duke of Sussex has accused the watchdog’s findings of falling “troublingly short,” despite the regulator clearing him of any wrongdoing in a public dispute that led to a dramatic shake-up within the organisation.
Although the Charity Commission found no evidence of misconduct or “over-reach” by Harry, it criticised him and other figures at the charity for allowing a deeply personal dispute to unravel so publicly, harming the charity’s image and operations.
“Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale’s Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,” said a spokesperson for the prince.
A Breakdown of Trust and Leadership
The fallout centres around a bitter leadership rift involving chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, the board of trustees, and both founding patrons Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
In March, both princes resigned as patrons, echoing the trustees’ own resignations, and expressed their dismay over the irreparable relationship with the chair.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation,” the princes said at the time.
Despite the regulator’s findings absolving Prince Harry of any wrongdoing, the report highlights how leadership tensions and poor internal governance led to the charity’s reputation being dragged into the spotlight a far cry from Sentebale’s original mission of helping vulnerable children in southern Africa.
Commission’s Findings: No Misconduct, But Poor Governance
After a four-month probe, the Charity Commission concluded:
- No evidence of widespread bullying, harassment, misogyny or racism.
- No misconduct by Prince Harry or the chair.
- Trustees failed to resolve internal disputes privately.
- Confusing delegation of roles and a lack of internal policies contributed to the charity’s breakdown.
- Public airing of grievances harmed Sentebale’s reputation and overshadowed its work.
The watchdog stated the charity was poorly managed during the internal conflict, especially concerning the delegation of powers and the complaint-handling processes.
“The failure to clarify delegations within the charity to the chair, and the failure to have proper processes for internal complaints, both amount to mismanagement in the administration of the charity,” the report concluded.
Financial Strain Added to Internal Pressures
The regulator also highlighted how financial difficulties, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic, may have intensified tensions. The dispute initially began after Sentebale’s leadership looked to launch a fresh fundraising strategy in the United States in 2023, a move that later triggered the charity’s internal crisis.
Harry and Seeiso Step Away — But Not Back
While the Commission has now issued Sentebale a regulatory action plan, including the creation of clearly defined patron roles and improvements to complaints procedures, Prince Harry’s team criticised the report for failing to hold the current chair accountable.
“Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair’s actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebale’s support,” Harry’s spokesperson added.
The Duke of Sussex, however, remains committed to supporting children in Lesotho and Botswana, and is now said to be exploring new avenues to continue his humanitarian efforts.
“With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind – and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began – the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana,” his office said.
Chairwoman Defiant Amidst Fallout
Dr Chandauka, who reported the board to the Commission and took legal steps to protect her position, remains defiant. She acknowledged the media scrutiny but expressed optimism about the charity’s future.
“We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact,” she said.
Despite the turbulence, she reaffirmed Sentebale’s commitment to the vision of its royal founders, honouring the legacy of Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato.
“To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation.”
The Bigger Picture for UK Charities
David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, noted the broader implications of the Sentebale case: “Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve.”
The story of Sentebale is no longer just one of compassion and outreach. It now also stands as a warning about how fragile charity governance can be, even when royalty is involved.
As Prince Harry pivots towards new ventures to support southern Africa’s vulnerable children, questions remain over how Sentebale will rebuild and recover its once-sterling reputation.
