The chair of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has issued serious allegations against him following his resignation earlier this week. Dr Sophie Chandauka described his actions as "bullying" and "harassment at scale," claiming he used his platform to release damaging information about the charity without prior notification to its leadership.
In a revealing interview on Sky News, Dr Chandauka recounted, “The only reason I'm here... is because at some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorised the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors, or my executive director." She expressed concern over the impact this decision had on her and the 540 individuals associated with Sentebale, stating, “That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale.”
Prince Harry resigned as patron of Sentebale, an organisation aimed at supporting children with HIV in southern Africa and established in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. He cited a breakdown in relations with the board of trustees, which also experienced resignations in solidarity with his decision. They asserted that the relationship "broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation."
Reports suggest tensions arose over a strategic shift towards fundraising in Africa, a move that Dr Chandauka implied did not align with the charity's operational governance. She expressed her concerns, emphasising, “The number one risk for this organisation was the toxicity of its lead patron's brand.”
In her statements, Dr Chandauka also claimed that the dynamic between herself and Prince Harry had been tense for about a year. She alleged that his representatives requested she protect Meghan Markle from negative press, which she declined, insisting such actions would turn the charity into an extension of the Sussexes' public relations efforts.
Dr Chandauka went on to articulate broader issues with governance within the charity, asserting that the heads of Sentebale had been subjected to an invisible culture of harassment. She stated, "There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card," referring implicitly to Prince Harry’s narrative surrounding his departure.
The friction between the British charity's UK-based staff and their counterparts in Lesotho appeared to reflect deeper issues within the organisation, with claims that some trustees felt their authority was being undermined by recent leadership changes initiated by Dr Chandauka.
Meanwhile, sources close to Prince Harry indicated that he was deeply affected by the recent events but has yet to respond publicly to Dr Chandauka's claims. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission confirmed awareness of the governance concerns surrounding Sentebale and stated they were assessing the situation to determine appropriate regulatory actions.
As the dust settles on this internal conflict, Dr Chandauka remains resolute about the future of Sentebale, stating emphatically, “The team is resolved that Sentebale will live on, with or without you.”
Source: Noah Wire Services