Charity Chair Accuses Prince Harry of Bullying Amid Resignation Fallout

London, UK — The chair of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, accused him of “harassment and bullying at scale” following his resignation as a patron. Dr. Sophie Chandauka made the allegations during a Sky News interview less than a week after Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, stepped down amid escalating tensions within the organization.

Chandauka claimed that on Tuesday, Harry authorized the release of damaging news regarding the charity without notifying her or other executives. “Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their families? That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale,” she stated.

A source close to the charity’s former trustees dismissed Chandauka’s claims as “completely baseless,” asserting that they anticipated such allegations following their resignation decision. They emphasized that their resignation aimed to benefit the organization and expressed a desire for the truth to come out.

Harry and Seeiso, who established Sentebale in 2006 to help children impacted by HIV and AIDS, cited a breakdown in relationships with the board of trustees as their reason for stepping down. They expressed their heartbreak over the situation, stating, “It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.” They assured that they intend to communicate their concerns to the Charity Commission.

In her remarks, Chandauka suggested that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sought to manipulate the charity’s direction following their departure to California. She alleged significant donor decline and claimed that the “toxicity of its lead patron’s brand” risks undermining the charity’s missions.

The chair’s clashes with the board reportedly stemmed from attempts to reform decision-making processes and enhance fundraising efforts based within Africa. “We did not want to be an extension of the Sussexes’ brand, and that created tension,” she explained.

Former trustee Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, a long-time colleague of Harry, expressed disbelief regarding Chandauka’s allegations. “Throughout my involvement, there was never even a hint of such issues,” he remarked, reflecting on the respectful dynamics of the board.

Despite their public disagreements, Chandauka stated her previous relationship with Harry had been positive. Still, she affirmed that other board members’ behavior disrupted the charity’s operations and her efforts to implement governance improvements.

The unfolding situation has garnered widespread attention due to the royal connections involved, drawing parallels with previous allegations against Harry and his family regarding treatment of staff and governance concerns within their charities. The Charity Commission has confirmed it is assessing the situation to determine next steps.

As Sentebale continues its mission of supporting children affected by HIV in southern Africa, the outcome of this conflict remains uncertain, with the public awaiting further developments.