Duke of Sussex Steps Down as Patron of Sentebale Amid Governance Dispute
Chairwoman of the charity criticizes the impact of Prince Harry's brand on its operations amid boardroom tensions.
The Duke of Sussex has announced his resignation as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, in response to an internal governance dispute within the organization.
Sentebale, which was established in memory of Princess Diana, aims to assist children and young people in southern Africa affected by HIV and AIDS, focusing particularly on those in Lesotho and Botswana.
In a joint statement issued earlier this week, the Duke and Prince Seeiso expressed their deep regret over the current situation, noting that the relationship between the charity's trustees and board chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, had deteriorated beyond repair.
Their decision followed the resignations of several trustees, who had previously called for Chandauka's exit from the board.
Chandauka, who has been chairwoman since 2023, spoke to media outlets regarding her experiences within the charity.
In an interview, she characterized her tenure as marked by challenges, including alleged incidents of disrespect and intimidation.
She spotlighted the influence of the Duke's public persona, stating, "The number one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand."
Further, she highlighted the changing public sentiment towards Prince Harry since his relocation to the United States.
This shift, compounded by critical media coverage related to his 2022 Netflix documentary and his 2023 autobiography, has purportedly hindered the charity’s fundraising efforts and its capacity to attract senior staff.
Chandauka elaborated on the challenges facing the organization during the recruitment process, as potential candidates reportedly raised concerns regarding the mixed messages conveyed by the Duke’s patronage.
The board’s focus on fundraising initiatives in Africa reportedly contributed to tensions, leading to the resignations of former trustees including Timothy Boucher and Mark Dyer, among others, who cited a complete loss of trust in the current chair.
The Duke and Prince Seeiso reiterated their commitment to the charity's mission in their joint statement, indicating that stepping down was a gesture of support for the board of trustees.
In response to the resignations, Chandauka refuted claims made by the departing trustees and criticized the Duke for allegedly leaking news of his resignation to the media, suggesting that it has caused significant distress to the organization and its members.
The Charity Commission has confirmed it is aware of ongoing concerns surrounding Sentebale's governance and is currently reviewing the situation to determine any necessary regulatory actions.
The establishment of Sentebale was inspired by Prince Harry's visit to Lesotho during a gap year in 2004, where he witnessed the challenges faced by children orphaned by AIDS.
The charity, which began to operate in 2006, has since expanded its efforts to support vulnerable youth in both Lesotho and Botswana.
The Duke and Sentebale have not provided any further comment on the unfolding developments.
Sentebale, which was established in memory of Princess Diana, aims to assist children and young people in southern Africa affected by HIV and AIDS, focusing particularly on those in Lesotho and Botswana.
In a joint statement issued earlier this week, the Duke and Prince Seeiso expressed their deep regret over the current situation, noting that the relationship between the charity's trustees and board chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, had deteriorated beyond repair.
Their decision followed the resignations of several trustees, who had previously called for Chandauka's exit from the board.
Chandauka, who has been chairwoman since 2023, spoke to media outlets regarding her experiences within the charity.
In an interview, she characterized her tenure as marked by challenges, including alleged incidents of disrespect and intimidation.
She spotlighted the influence of the Duke's public persona, stating, "The number one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand."
Further, she highlighted the changing public sentiment towards Prince Harry since his relocation to the United States.
This shift, compounded by critical media coverage related to his 2022 Netflix documentary and his 2023 autobiography, has purportedly hindered the charity’s fundraising efforts and its capacity to attract senior staff.
Chandauka elaborated on the challenges facing the organization during the recruitment process, as potential candidates reportedly raised concerns regarding the mixed messages conveyed by the Duke’s patronage.
The board’s focus on fundraising initiatives in Africa reportedly contributed to tensions, leading to the resignations of former trustees including Timothy Boucher and Mark Dyer, among others, who cited a complete loss of trust in the current chair.
The Duke and Prince Seeiso reiterated their commitment to the charity's mission in their joint statement, indicating that stepping down was a gesture of support for the board of trustees.
In response to the resignations, Chandauka refuted claims made by the departing trustees and criticized the Duke for allegedly leaking news of his resignation to the media, suggesting that it has caused significant distress to the organization and its members.
The Charity Commission has confirmed it is aware of ongoing concerns surrounding Sentebale's governance and is currently reviewing the situation to determine any necessary regulatory actions.
The establishment of Sentebale was inspired by Prince Harry's visit to Lesotho during a gap year in 2004, where he witnessed the challenges faced by children orphaned by AIDS.
The charity, which began to operate in 2006, has since expanded its efforts to support vulnerable youth in both Lesotho and Botswana.
The Duke and Sentebale have not provided any further comment on the unfolding developments.
