Key Takeaways:

• Prince Harry resigns as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in memory of Princess Diana.
• The resignation stems from a governance crisis involving chairwoman Sophie Chandauka and five trustees.
• Harry expressed shock over the breakdown of relationships within the organization, leading to legal action.
• Sentebale is pivoting its mission to focus broader issues of youth health and climate resilience.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has announced his resignation from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. The decision follows a significant breakdown in relationships between the charity's board of trustees and its chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, creating what Harry described as an "untenable situation." Along with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry opted to step down in solidarity with the board of trustees, who also resigned amid internal disputes fueled by allegations of bullying, harassment, and governance issues.

In their joint statement, Harry and Seeiso expressed their deep disappointment, stating, "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." They reiterated their ongoing commitment to the charity's beneficiaries and their intention to share their concerns with the Charity Commission regarding what transpired.

Chandauka has alleged that she is a victim of a smear campaign after attempting to address perceived governance issues within the charity. In a statement filled with emotive language, she claimed, "Beneath all the victim narrative... 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 and misogynoir," a term referring to the intersection of racism and misogyny directed at Black women. Following her request to step down from the chairwoman's role, she initiated legal proceedings to remain in her position, further complicating the situation.

Sentebale, which translates to "forget me not" in Sesotho, first aimed to support children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. As part of a transformative agenda, the charity recently announced its intention to expand its focus to include wider issues such as youth health and climate resilience in Southern Africa. However, the fallout from the boardroom disputes has led many, including five trustees, to resign due to a lost trust in leadership.

In concluding their statement, Harry and Seeiso clarified that despite their resignations, they will always consider themselves as founders and guardians of the charity's mission, emphasizing its potential for positive change when managed properly. They expressed their hope that the organization remains equipped to fulfill its vital role moving forward.

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