Turmoil at Sentebale: Prince Harry Resigns Amid Charity Leadership Dispute

In a tumultuous turn of events, Prince Harry resigned from the charity Sentebale following disputes between its chair, Sophie Chandauka, and a group of trustees. The fallout has raised significant concerns regarding the charity's governance and future direction.

In a significant decision, Prince Harry announced on March 25, 2025, that he has formally resigned as a patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. The announcement comes amid a prolonged and contentious dispute that has erupted between the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka, and a group of board trustees, five of whom recently resigned.

Harry, alongside his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, stated that their resignation is a show of solidarity with the five trustees — Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West — who expressed a complete loss of trust in Chandauka. The trustees had publicly called for her resignation, and their departure aims to prevent the charity from incurring the hefty costs associated with a lawsuit Chandauka filed against them.

In a joint statement, the resigning trustees illustrated their ethical dilemma, stating, “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions.” The situation has escalated to a point where both sides have presented claims and evidence to the UK’s Charity Commission, signaling a deeper rift in the organization’s leadership.

Founded in 2006, Sentebale aims to support vulnerable children and young people in Southern Africa. Despite Harry’s and Seeiso’s initial vision for the charity, this recent upheaval raises questions about the charity’s future and its ability to fulfill its mission amidst internal turmoil.