Amidst a boardroom clash, Prince Harry has resigned from Sentebale, the charity he helped establish, leading to significant organizational changes, the Daily Beast reported.
Prince Harry, along with his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, announced they are stepping down from Sentebale, a charity focused initially on supporting children impacted by HIV in Botswana and Lesotho. Established in 2006, Sentebale has played a crucial role in aiding vulnerable populations in Southern Africa.
Sentebale recently underwent a significant transformation, shifting its focus from primarily addressing HIV/AIDS to broader issues including youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in Southern Africa. This change coincided with a board restructuring process initiated on March 25, 2025.
The restructuring follows a dispute centered around the charity's board chair, Sophie Chandauka. A report by The London Times outlined that the conflict arose after an unsuccessful attempt by Prince Harry and other trustees to remove her from her position.
The founders expressed their distress over the situation in a joint statement. "What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this," they said. They further detailed the emotional weight of their decision, "Nearly 20 years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers…With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice."
This intense dispute spiraled to the point where legal actions were taken, further complicating the matter. The trustees, who also resigned, attempted to act in the charity's best interest by asking Chandauka to step down. Their efforts, however, resulted in legal retaliation by Chandauka, aiming to secure her position.
Representatives from the departed trustees shared their perspective. "Our priority has always been, and will always be, what’s in the best interest of the charity, and it’s desperately sad the relationship breakdown escalated to a lawsuit by the chair against the charity, to block us from voting her out after our request for her resignation was rejected," they explained.
In light of these dramatic shifts, Sentebale faces challenges ahead in maintaining its commitment to the welfare of Southern Africa's youth. According to the organization, the board restructuring aims to "introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year."
The charity's scope has broadened considerably since its inception, addressing complex issues such as climate change and economic stability, alongside health. Their campaign in October 2024, titled "Return to Southern Africa," marked a strategic attempt to realign and broaden the scope of their funding and operational focus.
However, despite these progressive steps, the internal conflicts have cast a shadow over the charity's trajectory. The U.K. Charity Commission has begun an investigation into Sentebale, underlining the severity of the unfolding events.
The news of Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso's resignation was a surprise to many, given their deep personal connections to the organization's mission and origins. Sentebale's spokesperson noted, "The charity had not received notice of the princes’ resignation," indicating a possible communication breakdown amidst the ongoing disputes.
As Sentebale navigates these tumultuous times, the commitment of its staff and the new board will be paramount in steering the charity towards stability and renewed effectiveness. The outcome of this structural shift will heavily influence the charity's ability to continue its vital work in Southern Africa.
The unfolding story of Sentebale underscores the complex interplay between leadership dynamics and the mission-driven focus of non-profit organizations. As the charity moves forward, the global community remains attentive to how these changes will influence the lives of the many individuals relying on its support.
