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Prince Harry Accused of “Bullying” by Sentebale Charity Chairwoman
The head of Prince Harry’s Africa-focused charity, Sentebale, has levied accusations of “harassment and bullying” against the Duke of Sussex, alleging that the royal’s brand has become “toxic.” This development comes amidst controversy surrounding the leadership of the organization dedicated to aiding young individuals affected by AIDS in southern Africa.
Duke of Sussex’s Departure and Fallout
Prince Harry, aged 40, made a significant exit from Sentebale, the charity he co-established in 2006. He, along with the other co-founder and all five trustees, resigned on Tuesday. This mass departure was reportedly triggered by a refusal to collaborate with the current chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
Chairwoman Alleges PR Smear Campaign
Dr. Chandauka, now facing scrutiny, claims the Duke “unleashed” his public relations apparatus against her following a joint public statement issued by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the charity’s co-founder.
“The sole reason I am addressing this publicly is because Prince Harry, on Tuesday, authorized the dissemination of damaging information to the media without prior notification to myself, my country directors, or my executive director,” Chandauka stated during a Sunday interview with Sky News.
“Harassment and Bullying at Scale”
“Consider the impact of that attack on me, on the 540 individuals within the Sentebale organization, and their families,” she continued. “This constitutes an instance of harassment and bullying on a considerable scale.”
Requests for comment directed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex through their Archewell Foundation, the Sentebale charity, and Meghan Markle’s official website, As Ever, have not yet received a response.
“Baseless” Claims and Trustee Resignations
Sources reportedly close to the former Sentebale trustees have dismissed Chandauka’s allegations as “completely baseless,” according to Sky News reports.
The source further stated, “The former trustees fully anticipated this publicity maneuver and made their collective decision with this expectation. They remain resolute in their resignations, acting in the best interests of the charity, and await the truthful adjudication of the matter.”
Accusations of Pressure and Demands
Chandauka further alleged that Prince Harry attempted to “oust” her from her position at Sentebale, labeling him the “primary risk” to the charity. She also claimed that the Duke had insisted that Sentebale release a public declaration of support for Meghan Markle after a polo fundraiser organized by the Duchess reportedly “went poorly.”
“I refused,” Chandauka stated. “Not due to a lack of concern for the Duchess, but because I was aware of the potential repercussions, and because it is imperative that we maintain Sentebale’s independence from the Sussexes.”
“Toxicity” of the Brand and Sponsor Concerns
When questioned if Prince Harry constituted the “number one risk” to the charity, she affirmed, “Yes.” She further indicated that several of the charity’s sponsors withdrew their support around the time of the Sussexes’ departure from the United Kingdom.
Upon inquiring about the reasons for sponsor withdrawal, she was informed that it would be “an uncomfortable discussion to have with Prince Harry present.”
“Force a Failure” Allegation
Chandauka, who assumed the role of chairwoman of Sentebale in 2023, also accused Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of attempting to deliberately “force a failure” upon the charity, as stated in a separate interview.
She alleged in a Financial Times interview that the princes “desire to engineer a failure and subsequently intervene to rescue it.”
“The paramount risk for this organization has become the toxicity associated with its lead patron’s public image,” she asserted.
Chairwoman Breaks Silence
These remarks represent Chandauka’s first public response following the joint statement issued by Princes Harry and Seeiso on Tuesday. Their statement accused her of fostering an “untenable situation” within the charity – Sentebale, meaning “forget me not.”
“The relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board deteriorated beyond repair, resulting in an unsustainable situation,” the princes’ statement conveyed.
“These trustees acted in the best interests of the charity by requesting the chair’s resignation, while prioritizing the welfare of the staff. In response, she initiated legal action against the charity to retain her voluntary position, further emphasizing the irreparable breakdown of the relationship.”
Charity Commission Review
The UK Charity Commission, the governmental body responsible for charity registration and regulation, is currently examining the unfolding situation.
“We can confirm our awareness of governance concerns at Sentebale,” a Charity Commission spokesperson communicated to The Post. “We are presently assessing these issues to ascertain the appropriate regulatory actions to be taken.”