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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho resigned from Sentebale on March 25, 2025, following an irreparable rift between the charity’s board of trustees and its chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. The two royals co-founded Sentebale in 2006.
The conflict escalated when Dr. Chandauka, a corporate finance lawyer and former board member from 2009 to 2015 before becoming chair, refused to step down and took legal action to retain her position. She accused the trustees of abuse of power, bullying, sexism, and racism, stating she had reported them to the UK Charity Commission. “There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card,” she said.
The resigning trustees; Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West, asserted that their decision was “nothing short of devastating.” They stated they had lost trust and confidence in Dr. Chandauka, and her legal challenge made it impossible to remove her without placing an undue financial and legal burden on the organization.
The Charity Commission confirmed awareness of concerns surrounding Sentebale’s governance and is currently assessing the situation. Meanwhile, the charity stated it had not received resignations from its royal patrons and characterized recent developments as part of a “restructuring” effort. It emphasized an ongoing transformation agenda, shifting from a focus on HIV and AIDS to broader youth health, wealth, and climate resilience initiatives in Southern Africa.
Prince Harry’s connection to Sentebale dates back to his 2004 visit to Lesotho at age 19. Inspired by his experiences, he co-founded the organization alongside Prince Seeiso, who had also lost his mother. Their shared vision shaped Sentebale’s mission for nearly two decades. Over the years, the charity remained a key aspect of Prince Harry’s philanthropic work, even as he navigated personal and professional transitions, including his departure from royal duties.
At a 2020 Sentebale event, shortly before relocating to the United States, Prince Harry expressed his gratitude to the charity, stating: “When I lost my mum… you took me under your wing. You looked out for me for so long.” His last visit to Lesotho in 2024 reaffirmed his commitment to the organization, despite his physical distance from its day-to-day operations.
However, the recent governance crisis marks a significant turning point. The legal and leadership dispute has led to a dramatic fallout, casting uncertainty over Sentebale’s future.
With Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso stepping back, the charity now faces a critical juncture in its transformation efforts while under increased scrutiny from the Charity Commission.
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