Prince Harry’s Sentebale Charity in Crisis: ‘Toxicity’ Claims Denied, Leadership Failures Blamed

Prince Harry’s Sentebale Charity in Crisis Due to Leadership Dispute

The charity founded by Prince Harry, Sentebale, has recently found itself embroiled in controversy as leadership conflicts have come to light. Sentebale, established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to provide assistance to young people affected by HIV, is now facing turmoil as the Duke of Sussex, his co-founder, and the board of trustees have all stepped down from their roles within the organization.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of Sentebale, accused Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of trying to orchestrate the charity’s failure in order to stage a rescue. However, a source close to the trustees and patrons of the charity has refuted these claims, stating that the decision to resign was prompted by concerns over Chandauka’s handling of the charity’s finances.

According to the source, efforts were made to address these issues privately, but ultimately the trustees felt they had no choice but to resign due to their lack of confidence in Chandauka’s leadership. They firmly stand by their decision and await a resolution to the ongoing dispute for the sake of the charity’s future.

Chandauka also alleged that the public backlash following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit had a negative impact on Sentebale’s ability to attract new donors and recruit senior staff. She pointed to the perceived ‘toxicity’ of Prince Harry’s brand as a significant risk to the organization’s reputation and fundraising efforts.

In response, the source contended that Sentebale heavily relied on Prince Harry’s involvement, particularly through events like the Sentebale Polo Cup, where his participation attracted sponsors. Additionally, Prince Harry had personally donated $1.5 million from the proceeds of his memoir to support the charity’s cause.

Chandauka further claimed that tensions between herself and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex came to a head at a polo event in April 2024. A moment captured on camera showing Meghan Markle moving Chandauka away from Prince Harry generated controversy, with Chandauka refusing to address the incident publicly at the prince’s request.

The ongoing dispute has also led to allegations of misogyny and racial bias within the charity’s board, with Chandauka accusing them of mistreating her as a Black woman leader. However, these accusations have been refuted by another trustee, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, who denies witnessing any such behaviour.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the Charity Commission in the UK has launched an investigation into the matter. Both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso expressed their deep disappointment at the breakdown of relations within the charity and pledged to share their concerns with the Charity Commission for further scrutiny.

The future of Sentebale hangs in the balance as the leadership crisis persists, leaving its mission to support disadvantaged youth in southern Africa uncertain. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso’s commitment to the charity’s beneficiaries remains unwavering, despite the challenges they currently face.

In conclusion, the turmoil within Sentebale underscores the complexities of running a charitable organization, especially when faced with internal disputes and external pressures. The hope now is that a resolution can be reached swiftly to ensure the continued success of Sentebale and the vital support it provides to those in need.