Prince Harry accused of ‘playing the victim card’ after quitting charity he founded
The chair of a charity in Africa set up by Prince Harry has appeared to criticise the royal for “playing the victim card” after he quit as patron amid a boardroom battle.
Prince Harry founded Sentebale two decades ago with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids.
Dr Sophie Chandauka has now hit back at the duke, saying she has been targeted because she “blew the whistle” on “abuse of power, bullying, harassment [and] misogyny” within the charity.
Several trustees have left the organisation along with Harry and Prince Seeiso, having requested Dr Chandauka’s resignation.
Dr Chandauka was appointed chair of the organisation last year. The trustees were reportedly unhappy with the decision and wanted her to step down, prompting her to sue.
The dispute arose around a decision to focus fundraising in Africa, according to The Times.
The chair also claimed she had reported trustees to the Charity Commission and that the High Court had issued an emergency injunction to prevent her removal.
A Charity Commission spokesperson for England and Wales said: “We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale. We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
The Independent understands the Charity Commission has yet to make any findings on the claims.
In a joint statement, the duke and Prince Seeiso backed the departing trustees and said they had resigned as patrons until further notice.
They said: “Nearly 20 years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers. Sentebale means ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, the local language of Lesotho, and it’s what we’ve always promised for the young people we’ve served through this charity.
“Today is no different. With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.
“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.”
Dr Chandauka said: “Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.
“My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means. There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.”
She added: “Beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued. I could be anyone. I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me.
“I will say nothing further on this matter at this time.”
Harry spent two months in Lesotho during his gap year when he was 19 in 2004, which inspired him to establish the charity two years later, which now also works in Botswana.
He came face-to-face with Aids orphans, met other traumatised young people and visited herd boys living a harsh existence looking after cattle in remote mountain areas.
The duke visited Lesotho and the prince as recently as last October, where he talked to a group of young people around a campfire about the “massive difference” Sentebale was making.
He was also pictured with Dr Chandauka at a charity polo event in Florida in April 2024 to benefit Sentebale.
The duke and Prince Seeiso, who are understood to have resigned at the same time as the trustees, said they would be “sharing concerns” with the Charity Commission.
They added: “These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.
“We thank all the trustees for their service over the years and are truly heartbroken they’ve had to follow through with this act.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.
“Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
Sentebale said it had not received resignations from either of the royal patrons and said the “recalibration of the board is part of Sentebale’s ambitious transformation agenda”.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our Board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year.
“In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa.”
Harry’s role at Sentebale was one of a small number of private patronages he retained after he was stripped of his royal patronages and honorary military positions by the late Queen in 2021, when his departure from the working monarchy was confirmed for good a year after ‘Megxit’.
