Prince Harry has now spoken out after Sentebale—the organization he co-founded in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana—filed a libel lawsuit against him at the High Court in London. The Duke of Sussex stepped down from his role as patron in March 2025 following a widely publicized disagreement with the charity’s board chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Founded in 2006 by Prince Harry, Sentebale was created to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. However, tensions within the organization appear to have deepened in recent months, ultimately leading to legal proceedings.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson representing Prince Harry issued a strong denial on behalf of both the Duke and former trustee Mark Dyer. The statement made it clear that they “firmly and unequivocally reject” the allegations, describing them as both harmful and unfounded.
The spokesperson further emphasized that, as individuals who played a foundational role in building Sentebale, it is deeply concerning to see the charity’s resources being used for legal action against those who contributed to its development for nearly two decades. Instead, they argued, those funds should be directed toward supporting the vulnerable communities the organization was established to serve.
According to reports, Sentebale filed the defamation claim last month, naming Prince Harry and Mark Dyer in the case. The charity is seeking legal intervention, protection, and restitution, citing what it describes as a negative media campaign that began earlier this year. It claims this campaign has disrupted its operations and caused damage to its reputation, leadership, and partnerships.
In its statement, the charity alleges that both Prince Harry and Mark Dyer were central figures behind the media activity, which it says gained significant traction online and led to a wave of cyberbullying targeting the organization and its leadership.
The situation highlights a deepening rift between Prince Harry and the charity he once helped establish, raising questions about the future of Sentebale and the broader impact of the dispute.
