Prince Harry’s Sentebale Exit Sparks Controversy Amid Financial Disputes
Prince Harry’s decision to step down as the leading patron of his charitable organization, Sentebale, has ignited widespread reactions, with new details emerging about the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
The Duke of Sussex has made headlines after resigning from the charity he co-founded in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Sentebale, which provides crucial support to children and adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS, was founded to honor the legacy of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso recently released a joint statement announcing their resignation. According to the statement, their departure was due to an irreparable breakdown in the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
Sources close to the patrons and trustees told People Magazine that the decision to step away was influenced by concerns over Chandauka’s management of the charity’s finances. Allegedly, internal disputes over financial handling created deep divisions within the organization, ultimately leading to Harry and Seeiso’s exit.
On the other hand, Dr. Chandauka’s representatives have strongly denied these claims. In a statement, they refuted allegations of financial mismanagement, asserting, “Much of the information being circulated is untrue and defamatory in nature.”
An insider revealed that trustees had previously attempted to address their concerns privately, urging Dr. Chandauka to reconsider her position due to their diminished trust and confidence in her leadership. According to the source, they believed her decisions had placed the charity in a precarious financial position.
Meanwhile, Chandauka has pushed back against these claims, accusing Prince Harry of bullying and labeling him as a liability to the organization. She reportedly stated that “the No. 1 risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand,” referencing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s ongoing controversies following their royal departure.
With both Harry and Seeiso stepping away, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain. The charity now faces the challenge of navigating its internal conflicts while continuing its mission to support vulnerable children and young people in need.
As the fallout continues, royal watchers and charity supporters alike will be closely monitoring how Sentebale moves forward in the wake of this high-profile resignation.
