Report faulting Prince Harry and fellow trustees over the public spat at Sentebale charity

Report faulting Prince Harry and fellow trustees over the public spat at Sentebale charity

Charity Commission Condemns Public Fall-Out at Prince Harry’s Sentebale Foundation

The Charity Commission has rebuked all parties involved in the recent dispute at Sentebale, Prince Harry’s African charity, for taking their disagreement into the public domain. While clearing the Duke of Sussex of any allegations of racism, the regulator criticised trustees, patrons and chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka for allowing a bitter row to “play out publicly” and damage the organisation’s standing. The ruling emphasised that airing such grievances openly risks undermining both the specific charity and broader confidence in the sector.  

The controversy erupted after Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons in March, prompting the charity’s trustees to resign amid a clash with Chandauka, who only took up the chair role in 2023. The spat centred on accusations of poor governance and executive mismanagement, with Chandauka accusing certain individuals of “playing the victim card” once her objections were made public. Details emerged of a contentious fundraising strategy proposed in the United States, which ultimately fractured relations between the former patron and the chairwoman.  

In its regulatory compliance ruling issued on Tuesday, the Charity Commission highlighted serious shortcomings in Sentebale’s internal processes. It pointed to a failure by then-trustees to address mounting tensions privately, instead allowing them to spiral into a damaging public spectacle. The watchdog warned that these governance lapses “seriously affected the charity’s reputation” and risked eroding trust in charitable institutions more widely. It has consequently mandated a detailed Regulatory Action Plan to strengthen oversight and rectify identified procedural gaps.  

David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, underlined the stakes. He noted that the public row had “jeopardised the charity’s ability to serve the very beneficiaries it was created to support” by overshadowing Sentebale’s many achievements. The regulator’s intervention aims to rebuild robust governance structures, ensuring that no future disputes spill into the media and that decision-making lines of authority are clearly delineated.  

As part of the Action Plan, Sentebale must tighten its policies on delegation and dispute resolution, implementing clearer protocols for how responsibilities are assigned to trustees and senior executives. The Commission warned that absent such clarity, misunderstandings can fester and ultimately lead to confrontations that jeopardise both operations and beneficiary trust. The plan also calls for regular governance audits to confirm compliance and nip emerging issues in the bud.  

A spokesperson for Prince Harry, who is not a trustee but launched Sentebale in memory of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, described the Commission’s report as “worryingly insufficient.” They argued that, despite the regulator’s clearance of the Duke of Sussex, crucial questions about the charity’s internal culture remained unanswered. The comment underscored ongoing frustration that, while the public dispute has been officially addressed, its root causes may not have been fully explored.  

According to the Commission’s account, the dispute first came to light in February when concerns over a new US-based fundraising drive were lodged. However, formal investigation did not begin until April, after analysts had reviewed evidence and concluded that regulatory scrutiny was warranted. This delay in launching the probe was attributed to the complexity of the issues and the need to gather testimony from multiple parties across different continents.  

Investigators found no proof of systemic harassment, bullying, misogyny or “Black misogyny,” but did recognise that several individuals involved felt they had been treated unfairly. The report noted a “strong perception of mistreatment” on all sides, reflecting the personal toll such conflicts can exact in charities driven by passionate leadership. Crucially, the Commission determined that neither the chair nor the patron had overstepped their formal roles, though both contributed to a breakdown in mutual trust.  

The watchdog singled out the then-trustees for failing to leverage the charity’s own dispute-resolution mechanisms. By not addressing allegations internally or seeking mediation, they missed opportunities to contain the conflict before it escalated into a damaging media feud. In the Commission’s view, the trustees’ collective inaction represented a missed chance to protect both Sentebale’s reputation and its operational effectiveness.  

Sentebale’s strategic and financial footing also came under scrutiny, with the regulator observing that pandemic-related difficulties had heightened stress and strained resources. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex reiterated that the Commission confirmed no wrongdoing by Prince Harry, and specifically denied claims of widespread misconduct at the charity. They labelled the allegations of bullying and misogyny as “false” and lamented that the ongoing fallout would distract from Sentebale’s core mission.  

Despite clearing Harry of malfeasance, the report attracted criticism for not holding the current chair to account in a manner that would directly remedy harm to beneficiaries. Observers warned that any regulatory shortcomings would ultimately be paid for by the vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana whom Sentebale exists to support. Meanwhile, a Sentebale representative welcomed the Action Plan as a means to “move forward without interference,” expressing confidence that it will shore up the charity’s governance.  

Dr. Sophie Chandauka said the unexpected media onslaught following the mass resignations on March 24, 2025, had inflicted “incalculable damage” and revealed “unacceptable behaviours” behind closed doors. She reflected that, despite the disruption, Sentebale emerged “stronger, more focused and better governed,” with an unwavering commitment to its beneficiaries. In a tribute to the organisation’s roots, she reaffirmed inspiration from founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, whose vision in memory of Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato continues to guide Sentebale’s work.