Prince Harry’s long-standing charity, Sentebale, is under fire following explosive allegations of bullying, harassment, and mismanagement—claims that have already led to the mass resignation of its board of trustees.
Founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Sentebale was created to support children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The organization has been one of Harry’s most visible philanthropic efforts—seen as both a tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, and a platform for continuing royal-style service work after stepping away from official duties in 2020.
But now, the charity’s reputation is being tested by a storm of internal accusations. At the center of the controversy is Sophie Chandauka, a respected lawyer and business leader who chaired the board. In a scathing public resignation letter, Chandauka accused Sentebale of “persistent poor governance,” claiming there was a “toxic culture” within the organization. Most notably, she alleged that Prince Harry himself had engaged in what she described as “harassment and bullying at scale.”
Her resignation prompted a chain reaction: the entire board of trustees stepped down, leaving the charity in a state of crisis.
Prince Harry has so far remained publicly silent on the matter. Some speculate the silence is a deliberate move to avoid further inflaming the situation, while others argue that accountability is necessary, especially when the charity serves vulnerable youth in some of the world’s most underserved regions.
Public reaction has been split. Loyal fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex—often called the “Sussex Squad”—have rushed to Harry’s defense, labeling the allegations part of a smear campaign and suggesting rival forces, even some allegedly linked to Prince William, are working to undermine Harry’s charitable efforts. Social media threads have since exploded with conspiracy theories and deep dives into organizational politics.
Meanwhile, critics note the irony of a humanitarian initiative being overshadowed by accusations of toxic leadership. Commentators, including The Guardian’s Marina Hyde, have pointed out that what should be a story about children in need is now a saga of royal-adjacent drama and boardroom dysfunction.
As of now, the future of Sentebale is uncertain. With no trustees in place and its leadership credibility in question, stakeholders—and the public—are watching closely to see whether Prince Harry will respond, reform, or retreat.