Prince Harry, along with his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, has officially stepped down from Sentebale, the African charity they started nearly 20 years ago in memory of their mothers. The decision came after a major conflict with the chair of the board, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, which has now led to a legal battle.
This marks a heartbreaking moment for both founders, who have been deeply involved in the charity’s mission since its beginning in 2006.
What is Sentebale?
Sentebale means “Forget-Me-Not” in the Sesotho language. The charity was launched by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso after Harry visited Lesotho during his gap year in 2004. It was built to support children and youth affected by poverty, HIV, and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana.
Over the years, Sentebale has impacted hundreds of thousands of young lives with education, healthcare, and life skills.
Why Did They Resign?
In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said they were stepping down because of an “untenable” situation between the board of trustees and the charity’s chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
They explained that:
“The relationship between the trustees and the chair broke down beyond repair.”
They also stated that the trustees had tried to act in the best interests of the charity by asking Dr. Chandauka to step down. When she refused, she reportedly filed a lawsuit to keep her position, which is voluntary and unpaid.
Trustees Step Down Too
Along with the royal founders, all other trustees of Sentebale also resigned, saying they had lost confidence in the chair’s leadership.
In their statement, they said:
“We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to carry a legal and financial burden. We were left with no other option but to vacate our positions.”
They also added that the decision was devastating, but they made it to protect the future of the charity and its staff.
Prince Harry’s Emotional Message
Prince Harry called the situation “unthinkable” and said he was heartbroken by the need to resign. He and Prince Seeiso stressed they would always be proud founders, even though they are no longer patrons.
“Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
What Does the Chair Say?
Dr. Sophie Chandauka responded by accusing both princes of “playing the victim card.” In a strong statement, she said:
“I joined Sentebale to support young Africans. My work has always been guided by fairness and equity.”
She also said she had reported “issues of poor governance, bullying, harassment, and abuse of power” to the Charity Commission and suggested she was being targeted for standing up against mistreatment.
“There are people who behave as though they are above the law… but I will not stay silent.”
Her legal case has been accepted by the High Court of England and Wales, suggesting the court found some merit in her claims.
What Happens Next?
The resignations have raised questions about the charity’s future leadership. While Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso are no longer involved, they have promised to continue raising their concerns with the UK Charity Commission to ensure Sentebale stays true to its mission.
Many hope that the charity, which has done meaningful work for nearly two decades, will emerge stronger and continue helping vulnerable children across southern Africa.