Prince Harry has come under scrutiny for a critical error in judgment that caused a major setback for Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso. The revelation comes just days after the Duke of Sussex made the difficult decision to step down as the organization’s patron.
A passionate polo enthusiast, Harry had been instrumental in raising funds for Sentebale through high-profile events. However, a significant misstep jeopardized a key fundraising opportunity—a charity Polo Challenge in Miami. His unexpected request to involve Netflix in the event ultimately led to complications that impacted the organization.
Dr. Sophie Chandauka, Sentebale’s chair, recently spoke to Sky News' Trevor Phillips, shedding light on the issue. According to her, Harry’s association with Netflix proved to be a major stumbling block.
“About a month before the event was set to take place, Prince Harry contacted the team and said, ‘I’m doing a Netflix show, and I’d love to bring a camera crew to include some footage in it,’” Dr. Chandauka revealed, referring to Harry’s upcoming polo docuseries.
While the charity initially considered accommodating the request, they soon realized it posed a significant issue. “I told them, ‘You can’t move forward without proper consent from the property owners, sponsors, and guests. No one signed up to be part of a Netflix production,’” she explained.
The situation took a turn for the worse when the venue owner, upon learning of Netflix’s involvement, categorized the event as a “commercial undertaking.” This reclassification meant the charity could no longer afford the location, forcing them to scramble for an alternative venue.
Despite this setback, Prince Harry was able to secure a new venue through his connections. However, the problems didn’t end there.
Dr. Chandauka also revealed that Meghan Markle’s unexpected presence at the event led to further complications.
“We were excited about it. We would have been even more excited had we known in advance,” she noted. However, Meghan’s unplanned appearance disrupted the event’s organization, leading to crowding on stage and mismanagement during key moments.
This chaotic scene, captured by the media, resulted in negative publicity. Instead of drawing attention to the charity’s mission, the mishaps became the focal point of international headlines.
Harry’s resignation from Sentebale’s patronage has sparked widespread speculation about tensions behind the scenes. His recent blunder, coupled with the fallout from the Miami event, raises questions about his ongoing involvement in philanthropy and whether his ties to Netflix could continue to create challenges for charitable endeavors.
While Sentebale managed to recover from the incident, the controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between royal engagements and commercial commitments. For Prince Harry, this latest misstep underscores the challenges of navigating both worlds successfully.
