Sentebale found to have governance weaknesses but no harassment
The Charity Commission has found no evidence of bullying, harassment or racism at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, despite months of public dispute among its leadership.
In a report published on 6 August, the regulator concluded that allegations made earlier this year – including claims of misogyny and mistreatment of Black women – were not substantiated. However, it identified “governance weaknesses” at the organisation, criticising all parties involved for allowing tensions to damage its reputation.
Boardroom rift spills into public
The inquiry followed a high-profile row that saw Prince Harry, co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and five trustees resign in March after clashing with chair Sophie Chandauka. Disagreements over spending priorities, funding shortfalls, and the role of the chair and patrons led to a breakdown in relations.
According to people familiar with events, trustees sought Chandauka’s resignation in February, citing concerns about lost funding and increased consultancy costs. Chandauka responded by filing a formal complaint to the commission, accusing Prince Harry and trustees of bullying, misogyny, and trying to “force a failure” of the charity.
The commission said a lack of clarity around role descriptions, and no clear procedures for investigating internal complaints, amounted to “mismanagement in the administration of the charity”. It also found that strategic and financial pressures following the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the disputes.
Impact on Sentebale’s mission
Founded in 2006, Sentebale supports children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The commission’s chief executive, David Holdsworth, said the charity’s work had been overshadowed by public infighting, which risked undermining its ability to serve its beneficiaries.
“This case highlights what can happen when there are gaps in governance and policies critical to the charities’ ability to deliver for their cause,” he said.
Reactions from those involved
Sentebale welcomed the findings, saying the report would allow it to “move forward with confidence – free from interference.”
A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the conclusions “fall troublingly short in many regards” but confirmed the Duke of Sussex would continue to support children in Lesotho and Botswana through other means.
Chandauka said the organisation was now “stronger” despite the “incalculable damage” caused by the dispute, which she claimed reflected “unacceptable behaviours displayed in private.”
While the regulator’s findings close this chapter for Sentebale, the episode has underscored the importance of clear governance and internal dispute resolution processes for high-profile charities operating on the global stage.
