• Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of the charity Sentebale, accused Prince Harry of orchestrating a "bullying and harassment campaign" to force her resignation.
• The allegations emerged after Harry stepped down as a patron amid governance disputes with Chandauka and other board members.
• Chandauka claims Harry's actions caused immense stress and negatively impacted the charity's operations and donor support.
• Both parties have filed complaints with the UK's Charity Commission, which is now reviewing governance issues concerning Sentebale.
• This dispute shines a spotlight on the operational stability of Sentebale, co-founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso in 2006 to support youth affected by HIV/AIDS.

The rift between Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of the charity Sentebale, and Prince Harry escalated dramatically after Chandauka accused the Duke of Sussex of orchestrating a "bullying and harassment campaign" against her. The conflict surfaced shortly after Harry announced his resignation as patron of the organization he co-founded nearly two decades ago to address issues surrounding youth affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Harry's decision to step down was presented as a gesture of solidarity with five board members who had previously resigned, citing a breakdown in trust with Chandauka.

In a revealing interview with Sky News, Chandauka claimed that Harry's abrupt resignation, which she said was publicly announced without prior notice to her, amounted to harassment forced upon her and the 540 staff associated with Sentebale. She criticized Harry for allegedly using a press strategy that she described as “bullying at scale.” Chandauka stated, “Can you imagine what that attack has done for me and my organization?” She also referred to interference from Harry's Netflix deal, which she claimed disrupted a vital fundraising event.

According to reports, once Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, left their royal duties in early 2020, the charity experienced a significant drop in donor support, which Chandauka linked to what she described as the “toxicity of its lead patron's brand.” Chandauka expressed disappointment regarding an awkward public incident involving her alongside Prince Harry and Meghan at a polo event, which further fueled negative media attention.

In response to these public accusations, Harry issued a joint statement with co-founder Prince Seeiso, expressing heartbreak over the internal disputes and labeling the situation as "unthinkable." They emphasized the need for the charity to prioritize its beneficiaries over ongoing governance conflicts. Both parties have now submitted complaints and evidence to the Charity Commission, indicating that the resolution of these disputes lies ahead.

With the charity's foundational mission at stake, the ongoing disagreements point to deeper underlying issues within the operational dynamics of Sentebale, making its future uncertain.