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Prince Harry’s Alleged “Unpleasant” Message to Sentebale Chair Over Meghan Markle Incident
Prince Harry is facing new scrutiny amid allegations of sending an “unpleasant” message to Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of his Sentebale charity. The dispute reportedly stems from Chandauka’s refusal to apologize for a perceived awkward moment involving Meghan Markle at a recent polo event, further straining relations within the organization and preceding Prince Harry’s departure from the charity he co-founded.
Dispute Over Apology and “Imperious” Language
Following corporate finance lawyer Sophie Chandauka’s comments to Sky News on Sunday, revealing that the Duke of Sussex allegedly requested a statement in support of his wife after media attention on polo match tensions in April 2024, details of his purported message surfaced in the Telegraph. Sources cited by the outlet described the note as having an “unpleasant” tone and employing “imperious” language.
Fallout and Charity Rift
The reported communication reportedly left Chandauka “taken aback” and is believed to have contributed to the breakdown in relations that culminated in Prince Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, stepping down from the leadership of Sentebale, the charity they established in 2006.
A representative for Sentebale confirmed the existence of the document, stating, “this is true” and “there is a document,” according to reports in the Daily Mail on Monday. However, the foundation indicated they lacked authorization to publicly release the communication.
Demands for Explanation
Despite the message’s content remaining undisclosed, reports suggest Prince Harry’s note demanded that Chandauka, formerly a global COO at Morgan Stanley, “explain herself.” This demand allegedly followed Chandauka’s reluctance to issue a public apology concerning the Duchess of Sussex.
No Comment from Prince Harry’s Representatives
As of yet, representatives for Prince Harry have not issued a response to Page Six’s request for comment regarding these allegations.
Duke’s Departure from Sentebale
Last week, news emerged of the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso’s departure from Sentebale. The co-founders expressed their deep disappointment in a joint statement, describing the situation as “unthinkable” and “devastating” that relations between the charity’s trustees and the board chair had deteriorated beyond repair.
Chandauka’s Account of Polo Event “Disruption”
In a subsequent interview on “Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips,” Chandauka detailed the issues surrounding the controversial polo fundraiser, which she described as having “went badly.”
Venue Change and Netflix Filming
Chandauka explained that the charity was forced to relocate the event venue with only a month’s notice because Prince Harry intended to bring a Netflix camera crew to film the event for his forthcoming “Polo” docuseries.
Meghan Markle’s Alleged Role in Stage “Choreography” Issues
Adding to the complications, Chandauka claimed that Meghan Markle’s unexpected arrival, accompanied by a “very famous friend,” Serena Williams, created further disruptions. Chandauka asserted that Markle had initially indicated she would not attend. This unexpected attendance, according to Chandauka, contributed to the “choreography” issues on stage, referencing the widely circulated video of Markle appearing to instruct Chandauka to move.
Accusations of “Harassment and Bullying”
Chandauka further elaborated on her decision to decline issuing a statement in support of the Duchess of Sussex when requested. She stated, “I knew what would happen if I did so, number one. And number two, because we cannot be an extension of the Sussexes.” Following this, she reportedly levied accusations of “harassment and bullying” against Prince Harry.
Source Disputes Chandauka’s Narrative
Sky News previously reported that an unnamed source deemed Chandauka’s version of events as “highly misleading,” suggesting conflicting accounts of the situation.