Prince Harry has officially withdrawn his patronage from the charity he established, Sentebale, as confirmed by his office in a statement released Wednesday. The decision comes after a significant rift between the charity’s board of trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka. Harry, alongside fellow patron Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, expressed their decision to resign in solidarity with the charity’s board, which faced turmoil leading to the resignation of five of its nine members.
The two princes expressed their devastation at the breakdown of relationships within the organization, stating in a joint release, “It is heartbreaking that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair has deteriorated beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.” They added that they would communicate their concerns regarding the matter to the Charity Commission to ensure better governance for Sentebale's beneficiaries.
Founded in 2006 in tribute to Harry's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, Sentebale aims to support communities in Lesotho impacted by the HIV pandemic, one of the world's most impoverished nations. The charity has expanded its services to evaluate substance abuse and gender-based violence concerns among the youth in southern Africa.
The recent disputes within Sentebale's leadership have garnered attention, with the resigning trustees citing a loss of confidence in Chandauka. In their statement, they revealed that Chandauka is currently engaging in legal proceedings to thwart their removal from the board, which they believe would inflict unnecessary financial strain on the charity. The trustees asserted, “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and felt we had no choice but to vacate our positions.” The unfolding events place Sentebale in a critical position as it seeks to maintain its mission amidst leadership changes.
