Prince Harry Welcomes Charity Investigation as Sentebale Faces Turmoil

Amid a brewing scandal at the charity Sentebale, Prince Harry has commended the Charity Commission's decision to investigate claims of misconduct and rifts within its board, following his and Prince Seeiso’s resignation as patrons.

In a tumultuous turn of events, Prince Harry has publicly welcomed the announcement of an inquiry by the Charity Commission into Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to support children affected by HIV in Southern Africa. This response comes after a significant fallout within the organization, leading both him and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, to resign from their patron roles.

The dispute has its roots in allegations leveled by the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka, who accused Harry and former trustees of harassment and bullying. These claims emerged after a confrontation involving Meghan Markle at a charity polo match in Miami, leading to a wider crisis that has captured media attention.

In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso, Harry voiced their relief at the Charity Commission's commitment to a thorough inquiry into the board's conduct. “We hope it will uncover the truth surrounding the events that led to our resignation,” he remarked. The commission's focus will evaluate whether the current and former trustees, particularly Ms. Chandauka, met their legal obligations under charity regulations.

Ms. Chandauka has expressed her own approval of the investigation, emphasizing its necessity for transparency to reassure the charity's supporters and beneficiaries. As the situation develops, both sides seem eager for clarity amid the strife, pushing for what they deem proper governance for Sentebale's future. The Charity Commission has initiated direct communication with those raising concerns to gather necessary evidence for its inquiry, which stands to influence the fate of Sentebale substantially.

Mark Landler, the reporter of this story, has over thirty years of experience in journalism and currently leads the London bureau for The Times.