Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauka has launched a fresh attack on Prince Harry after the Duke of Sussex was cleared of wrongdoing by the UK’s charity regulator. Chandauka, who had been asked by the trustees to step down, issued a pointed statement following the Charity Commission’s findings.
The regulator had opened a regulatory compliance case earlier this year to examine a bitter dispute within the organization, which included allegations and counter-allegations from both sides. Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry in 2006, supports children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.
In its conclusion, the Charity Commission dismissed several of Chandauka’s most serious claims, including accusations of bullying and “misogynoir,” a term used to describe racism directed at Black women. However, the commission also criticized both parties for allowing their disagreements to “play out publicly,” warning that such public disputes can undermine trust in charities.
Despite the partial dismissal of her claims, Chandauka insisted the findings validated her concerns. “I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions, which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025,” she said in a statement.
According to the New York Post, Chandauka described the investigation as a challenging ordeal. “The experience was intense, and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience,” she said.
She also praised those within the organization who continued their work despite the public scrutiny. “I thank every dedicated colleague and the courageous new Board members who have stayed focused on the mission in the face of unprecedented media glare,” Chandauka added.
In a sharp criticism of those who stepped down from their roles earlier this year, Chandauka accused them of orchestrating a damaging publicity campaign. “The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private,” she said.
The dispute has cast a shadow over Sentebale’s work in southern Africa, with both Prince Harry and Chandauka facing intense media attention in recent months. While the Charity Commission’s ruling clears the Duke of Sussex of any wrongdoing, it also highlights the organizational turmoil that has gripped the charity’s leadership.
Neither Prince Harry nor Sentebale issued an immediate public response to Chandauka’s latest comments. The charity, however, is expected to focus on restoring stability and public trust as it continues its mission to support vulnerable children in the region.