During the confrontation, Chandauka filed complaints with the Charity Commission, accusing Harry and others responsible of alleged harassment and inappropriate conduct. However, after an investigation, the regulatory body concluded in August 2025 that there was no evidence to support these accusations. Even so, the report pointed out deficiencies in the organization's governance and criticized all parties for allowing the dispute to unfold publicly, generating a negative impact on the entity's reputation
The charity “Sentebale”, founded by Prince Harry in memory of Princess Diana, filed a defamation lawsuit against the Duke of Sussex himself before the High Court of London, according to court documents released this Friday. The action also includes Mark Dyer, former trustee and close collaborator of the prince, as a defendant
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According to the file, the organization maintains that both were responsible for an “adverse media campaign” that would have had a wide reach and negative consequences. According to Sentebale, this campaign caused a significant deterioration in its reputation, affected its operational functioning and damaged its relationships with strategic partners. In addition, he states that the media exposure led to a wave of online harassment directed against his leadership, which motivated the decision to go to justice in search of “intervention, protection
and restitution”.
A spokesperson for Harry categorically rejected the allegations, calling them “offensive and harmful”. He also questioned the use of resources, although the organization assures that legal costs are financed externally, to take legal action against those who, according to his version, contributed for almost two decades to building and sustaining the institution. “It's extraordinary that this type of measure is being used instead of focusing on the communities the organization serves,” said the spokesperson
. The charity “Sentebale” sued 'Prince Hary', its own co-founder over strategic and financial problems
The origin of the conflict dates back to March 2025, when Harry resigned as patron of the organization after a public confrontation with the president of the council, Sophie Chandauka. The dispute, which included disagreements over internal management, financial problems and fundraising strategies, resulted in a high-profile institutional crisis. In that context, the co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and several members of the board of directors also resigned
.
Sentebale, created in 2006, focuses its work on supporting vulnerable young people in Lesotho and Botswana, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, the organization has been an important pillar in health and wellness initiatives in the region, and has had the active support of Harry, who even donated 1.2 million pounds from the proceeds of his book “Spare”
. The main dispute was between Prince Harry and the president of the Organization's Council, Sophie Chandauka
The prince's departure from the organization was described by himself as “devastating” and “heartbreaking”, reflecting his strong personal bond with the cause. However, the internal conflict and its subsequent media escalation have jeopardized the institutional stability of the organization and its ability to continue developing its programs without interference
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The defamation lawsuit now opens a new chapter in this dispute, transferring the confrontation to the judicial sphere. The case not only confronts key figures in the organization's history, but it also highlights the tensions between its former leadership and the current management. As the process progresses in court, concerns persist about the impact that this conflict may have on Sentebale's core mission: providing support to vulnerable communities in southern Africa
