The chairwoman behind Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity is fighting back after the former royal resigned from his position due to tension between her and other board members.
The Duke of Sussex and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, issued a joint statement Wednesday announcing their “devastating” decision to step down because of Dr. Sophie Chandauka’s “untenable” leadership.
The duo, who created the African organization in 2006, quit in solidarity with several members of the board of trustees who were at odds with Chandauka.
However, issues between Chandauka and Harry seem to have started ever since she was appointed to the position last year.
In light of the “Spare” author’s decision, a video of Meghan Markle awkwardly asking Chandauka not to stand next to her husband has since resurfaced.
In the clip, originally taken in April 2024, Chandauka stood beside Harry as he and Markle raised a trophy following a charity polo match.
It was clear that neither Harry nor Markle wanted the chairwoman next to the red-headed royal. However, the two still smiled in photos together during other photo opportunities at the event.
Fast forward nearly a year and the tensions between the two have come to the surface. Less than one day after Harry and Seeiso quit their position, Chandauka slammed the two for pushing a “victim narrative.”
Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer, told the London Times that she was a “whistleblower” for bullying and misogyny within the organization.
“Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organization, its mission, and the young people we serve. My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means,” she said in a statement.
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.”
The trustees were reportedly unhappy with her appointment and wanted her to step down, prompting her to file a lawsuit against the organization in England’s High Court.
It appears many people were upset about her decision to move the fundraising operation to Africa.
Additionally, Chandauka seemingly suggested to the London Times that Sentebale was nothing more than a “vanity project” for Harry, Seeiso and the trustees — but not for her.
“Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the chair of the board report her own trustees to the Charity Commission? Why would the High Court of England and Wales accept her application to hear the matter at all if the case had no merit?” she asked.
“Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir [misogyny directed toward black women] and the cover-up that ensued. I could be anyone.”
Her statement came on the heels of Harry and Seeiso’s shock announcement.
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same,” they wrote in their joint statement.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
Harry, 40, and Seeiso, 58, insisted that the trustees “acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind.”
“In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.”
Harry and Seeiso — who launched the charity “in honor of [their respective late] mothers,” Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso — said they were “truly heartbroken” to leave their roles.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
They continued, “Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
The foundation was created to help young people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Page Six has reached out to their reps for further comment.
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