Investigation finds Prince Harry not guilty of bullying allegations, regarding a contentious disagreement at his charitable organization.
Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has faced a significant setback due to an internal dispute that unfolded earlier this year. The dispute, which became public, involved accusations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir, though the Charity Commission found no evidence to support these claims [1].
The conflict led to the resignation of Prince Harry, co-founder Prince Seeiso, and other trustees. Harry described the situation as an “effective hostile takeover” and felt “utterly devastated” by how the dispute unfolded [1].
Dr Sophie Chandauka, the chair of Sentebale, accused Prince Harry of "harassment and bullying at scale" in an interview earlier this year. However, the Charity Commission's investigation found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity [2].
The Charity Commission’s report criticized all parties for allowing the dispute to become public and identified governance issues within Sentebale, further tarnishing the organization’s public image. The report highlighted a lack of clarity around role descriptions and internal policies as the primary cause for weaknesses in the charity's management [2].
Dr Chandauka was asked to step down by the remaining members, who claimed it was in the "best interest of the charity". She appreciated the Charity Commission's conclusions, which confirmed the governance concerns she raised privately in February 2025 [2].
In a statement, a spokesperson for Prince Harry stated that the report "falls troublingly short in many regards", primarily because the consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her, but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support [2].
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to offer any formal response. Despite the setbacks, Sentebale has publicly welcomed the Charity Commission’s findings, signaling a desire to rebuild trust and continue its work. However, the leadership change and conflict have overshadowed Sentebale’s original mission, causing concern about its future direction without Harry’s involvement [1].
As a result of the internal dispute, Prince Harry will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana [1]. The internal dispute severely impacted Sentebale’s reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2023, March 1). Prince Harry resigns as president of Sentebale charity amid internal dispute. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/01/prince-harry-resigns-as-president-of-sentebale-charity-amid-internal-dispute [2] BBC News. (2023, March 15). Charity Commission criticises Sentebale over internal dispute. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64767169
- The internal dispute at Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, not only led to the resignation of key leadership figures but also raised questions about the charity's governance and internal policies, potentially affecting the business and finance operations of the organization.
- Despite the resolution of the internal dispute, the change in leadership at Sentebale, along with the associated drama, has diverted attention away from the charity's primary mission, potentially impacting its future business and funding in the realm of war- affected communities in Lesotho and Botswana.
