Prince Harry was seen waving while leaving the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. AP
Britain’s charity regulator has cleared Prince Harry of bullying claims after a public fallout at an African charity he co-founded. The dispute happened earlier this year at Sentebale, an organization Harry started in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity helps children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.
In March and April, the charity’s chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, publicly accused Harry of bullying. Her accusations followed Harry and Prince Seeiso’s decision to resign from the organization. That decision came after other trustees stepped down, asking Chandauka to also leave her post, which she refused.
The U.K.’s Charity Commission spent several months reviewing the situation. In its final report, released Wednesday, the commission found no proof that bullying or harassment took place. It also found no signs of sexism or racism, despite the serious nature of the public claims.
Public Fight Damaged Charity’s Image
Although Prince Harry was cleared, the commission criticized everyone involved for letting the dispute unfold in public. The watchdog said the public fight hurt Sentebale’s reputation and caused real damage to its work and image.
The commission also found problems within the charity’s leadership. It said there was confusion around who had authority to make key decisions. This confusion led to what it called “mismanagement in the administration of the charity.”
To help fix the issues, the regulator gave Sentebale a plan to improve its governance and leadership. This includes clearer roles for trustees and stronger management systems.
Harry Speaks Out
In a statement earlier this year, Prince Harry called the events "heartbreaking." He said the public claims were based on lies and deeply hurt those who had worked hard to support the charity’s mission.
Chairperson Sophie Chandauka accused Harry of harassment. She also objected to Harry allowing a Netflix crew to film at a polo fundraising event. She said his wife, Meghan, made an unexpected appearance at the event, which wasn’t agreed on beforehand.
Chandauka took up her volunteer leadership role at Sentebale in 2023.
History and Meaning of Sentebale
Prince Harry created Sentebale in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana. The word “Sentebale” comes from the Sesotho language, spoken in Lesotho. It means “Forget me not” and also expresses farewell. The charity was a major part of Harry’s royal duties before he stepped back from the royal family in 2020 and moved to North America with Meghan.
Sentebale remains one of the few charities Harry stayed involved with after his royal exit.
What Happens Next
The head of the charity regulator, David Holdsworth, said the charity must now work on improving its leadership. He also reminded everyone involved to keep the focus on the young people who depend on Sentebale’s services.
