IN a stunning turn of events, Prince Harry of England and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho have resigned as patrons of Sentebale, the African children’s charity they founded nearly two decades ago to honour their late mothers and support vulnerable children impacted by HIV/AIDS.
The dramatic exit comes after an internal crisis that has torn apart the organization’s leadership, with the board of trustees unanimously resigning in solidarity with the royal founders. At the heart of the dispute is Dr Sophie Chandauka, the charity’s board chair, whom the trustees attempted to remove – a move that has escalated into a legal battle.
Founded in 2006, Sentebale – which means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho – was born from a shared vision of two princes inspired by their mothers’ humanitarian work. Prince Harry, remembering Princess Diana’s commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness, and Prince Seeiso, honouring his own mother’s legacy, created an organization dedicated to supporting children in Lesotho and Botswana.
In a joint statement that reveals the depth of their distress, Harry and Seeiso described the situation as “devastating,” stating that the relationship between trustees and the board chair had “broken down beyond repair.” The dispute allegedly centred on fundraising strategies and governance issues.
Dr. Chandauka has fired back, claiming she is fighting against “abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir.” She has reportedly obtained a High Court injunction preventing her removal and accused the trustees of misconduct.
The former trustees, including Mark Dyer – a longtime friend of Prince Harry – issued a powerful statement emphasizing their commitment to the charity’s mission. “Our priority has always been, and will always be, what’s in the best interest of the charity,” they wrote, highlighting the organization’s two-decade-long impact on hundreds of thousands of children.
The Charity Commission has confirmed it is aware of the concerns and is assessing the appropriate regulatory steps. Meanwhile, Sentebale finds itself at a critical crossroads, with its founding patrons stepping back and its future uncertain.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso remain resolute in their commitment to the charity’s original mission, promising to share their concerns with the Charity Commission and emphasizing that they “will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
As the drama unfolds, one thing remains clear: the children of Lesotho and Botswana, who have been the heart of Sentebale’s work, now wait to see how this leadership crisis will impact the vital support they rely upon.
