Prince Harry's recent resignation from Sentebale, the HIV and AIDS charity he co-founded two decades ago, has led to a public dispute with the organization's chair, Sophie Chandauka. Harry described the leadership situation as "untenable," expressing heartbreak over his departure. Several trustees, including close associates of Harry, have also stepped down amid the controversy.
The core of the disagreement lies in differing visions for the charity's future. Chandauka has been advocating for modernization and diversification of income sources, efforts that reportedly clashed with Harry and the board's perspectives. She alleges that her initiatives were met with resistance and that there were attempts to remove her for highlighting issues related to governance, bullying, and misconduct within the organization.
Furthermore, Chandauka attributes a decline in donations to Harry's strained public image and accuses him of unethical use of influence. In response, Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso cited irreparable relationship breakdowns among the charity's leaders as the reason for their resignations but affirmed their continued support for Sentebale's mission.
The Charity Commission has initiated an investigation into these allegations, while Chandauka remains committed to steering the charity forward despite the internal turmoil. This situation has raised concerns about the impact on Sentebale's operations and its beneficiaries, highlighting the challenges charities can face when internal conflicts become public.