Prince Harry Responds to Charity Commission’s Investigation into Sentebale Fallout
The Duke of Sussex has spoken out about the ongoing investigation into Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Following a wave of resignations from Sentebale’s board of trustees, Prince Harry expressed his hope that the Charity Commission’s inquiry will uncover the truth behind the infighting that led to his and Prince Seeiso’s decision to step down from their roles as patrons.
On April 3, the U.K. Charity Commission confirmed that it had launched a regulatory compliance case to assess the charity’s adherence to legal obligations after concerns were raised about its governance and financial management. The investigation follows a public fallout involving Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of Sentebale, and the board of trustees.
In his statement, Prince Harry expressed deep disappointment at the situation, which he described as “heartbreaking.” He hoped the inquiry would shed light on the reasons behind his resignation, emphasising that the primary goal of Sentebale, which was founded in 2006 in memory of their late mothers, has always been to help vulnerable children and young people in Southern Africa.
The Collapse of Sentebale’s Leadership: What Happened?
Sentebale, which has been instrumental in supporting young people in Southern Africa, has faced a dramatic collapse of leadership. The dispute began when the board of trustees resigned in protest of Dr. Sophie Chandauka’s leadership.
Key points about the situation include:
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Resignations: Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso followed the resignation of the board members, stepping down as patrons of the charity they had founded. This move came after disagreements with Dr. Chandauka, who was appointed chairwoman in 2023.
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Charity Commission Investigation: The Charity Commission has now opened a formal investigation into the charity, with a focus on compliance with governance standards.
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Financial Strain: According to sources within the charity, Dr. Chandauka’s leadership had placed significant financial strain on Sentebale, including costly decisions that did not secure the expected funding.
This dramatic turn of events has rocked the charity’s foundations and left its future uncertain. The question on everyone’s mind now is whether the inquiry will reveal deeper issues and bring about lasting changes to the organisation.
Prince Harry’s Statement: Seeking the Truth
In his response to the Charity Commission’s inquiry, Prince Harry stressed his belief that the investigation would bring the truth to light, regarding both the internal struggles and the external factors that led to his and Prince Seeiso’s resignation.
His full statement reads:
“From the inception of Sentebale nearly 20 years ago, Prince Seeiso and I have had a clear goal: to support the children and young people in Southern Africa in memory of our mothers. What has transpired over the last week has been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal. No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.”
He continued, expressing hope that the investigation would clear up misunderstandings and ensure that the charity could be placed back into safe hands. The well-being of the charity’s beneficiaries, the children in Southern Africa, remained at the forefront of his concerns.
Dr. Sophie Chandauka Responds to the Investigation
Dr. Sophie Chandauka has also commented on the Charity Commission’s investigation, confirming that she raised concerns within the charity earlier in 2025. According to her, these concerns stemmed from an internal governance investigation initiated by her team in 2024, which uncovered multiple issues regarding the charity’s management and financial stability.
In her statement, Dr. Chandauka said:
“We hope that, together, these actions will give the general public, our colleagues, partners, supporters, donors and the communities we serve comfort that Sentebale and its new Board of Trustees are acting appropriately to demonstrate and ensure good governance and a healthy culture for Sentebale to thrive.”
Dr. Chandauka added that the executive team and operational staff of Sentebale are committed to ensuring the charity’s day-to-day operations continue smoothly while the inquiry takes place.
The Key Issues: Financial Strain and Poor Governance
The turmoil within Sentebale came to a head due to several key issues:
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Financial Mismanagement: Sources revealed that the charity had been placed under significant financial strain during Dr. Chandauka’s tenure. The charity’s financial position, which was stable when she took over in July 2023, deteriorated under her leadership.
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Tensions with Funders: One major issue was a breakdown in relations between Dr. Chandauka and a key funder of the Sentebale Polo Cup, a major fundraising event for the charity. As a result, the event was cancelled for 2024, causing a significant loss in funding.
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Consultants and Strategic Failures: Dr. Chandauka’s decision to hire external consultants, at a cost exceeding $600,000, was controversial. The consultants were tasked with introducing new strategies and building relationships with potential donors. However, these efforts reportedly failed to generate the expected funding, leading to further dissatisfaction among the board.
What Lies Ahead for Sentebale?
With the charity’s leadership in flux and the Charity Commission conducting its investigation, the future of Sentebale is uncertain. However, there are key steps that must be taken to restore the charity’s credibility and ensure its continued success:
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New Leadership: The charity will need to stabilise its leadership. With Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso stepping down, new trustees and patrons must be brought in to restore confidence in the organisation.
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Improved Governance: To address concerns of mismanagement, Sentebale must prioritise implementing better governance standards. This will ensure that decisions made are in line with the charity’s values and objectives, benefiting the communities it serves.
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Financial Transparency: A clear focus on restoring financial stability and transparency is essential. The charity must engage with its donors, partners, and the public to rebuild trust in its financial practices.
Conclusion: Will Sentebale Emerge Stronger?
Prince Harry’s call for truth and transparency regarding the fallout at Sentebale is a critical moment for the charity. With the Charity Commission’s investigation under way, it remains to be seen whether the organisation can overcome its internal struggles and rebuild its reputation. However, one thing is certain: the future of Sentebale rests on how quickly it can address its leadership and financial issues, and whether it can remain true to its mission of supporting vulnerable children in Southern Africa.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the results and whether they will pave the way for a stronger, more effective Sentebale.
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Photo credit: LBC
