Prince Harry Faces Bullying Allegations Amid Charity Resignation
Recently, Prince Harry has found himself at the center of controversy after stepping down from his role with Sentebale, a charity he co-founded almost 20 years ago. This resignation has sparked serious allegations of bullying against the Duke of Sussex.
About Sentebale: A Legacy of Compassion
Established in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana, along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Sentebale has focused on supporting children and young people impacted by HIV and AIDS in Africa. For Harry, the charity has played a crucial role in his adult life, serving as a source of considerable pride and personal fulfillment.
Breaking News: Joint Statement from Harry and Seeiso
The partnership took a drastic turn on Wednesday when Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso issued a heartfelt statement announcing their decision to resign as patrons. They expressed their profound heartbreak over the situation, which emerged after a conflict with Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the charity’s chairwoman appointed in 2023.
In their statement, they remarked, “These 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.” They concluded by thanking the trustees for their years of service and lamenting the unfortunate circumstances that led to their resignation.
Tumultuous Times and Ongoing Claims
The statement further revealed their shock at the unfolding events and noted their commitment to the beneficiaries of Sentebale. They pledged to bring their concerns to the Charity Commission, demonstrating their ongoing responsibility towards the charity.
Dr. Chandauka has since begun to vocalize her experience as chair, sharing her perspective in an interview with The Financial Times. She disclosed that tensions with Prince Harry began to surface about a year ago. In her assertions, she accused him of attempting to “force a failure and then come to the rescue,” and mentioned that his team sought her assistance in managing public relations for his wife, Meghan Markle, which she declined.
Accusations Intensify
The situation escalated when Dr. Chandauka appeared on Sky News, where she characterized Harry’s recent actions as “harassment and bullying at scale.” She has further claimed that Harry attempted to obscure an investigation that involved allegations of harassment and misogyny within the charity, declaring, “The number-one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand.”
Maintaining her commitment to fairness, Dr. Chandauka revealed that she reported the board of trustees to the U.K. Charity Commission, which is responsible for overseeing charities operating in Britain.
Charity’s Response and Future Outlook
In light of these developments, Sentebale announced a restructuring of its board. Sources close to the former trustees described the accusations made by Dr. Chandauka as potentially nothing more than a “publicity stunt.”
Despite the turmoil, the former patrons remain resolute in their decisions, prioritizing the good of the charity and looking forward to a thorough examination of the situation. As reported by the BBC, they are eager for the truth to emerge during this process.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to both Sentebale and Prince Harry’s representatives for comments regarding these unfolding events.