Key Takeaways:

• The Charity Commission is investigating Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry, amid allegations of governance issues.
• Prince Harry resigned from the charity, citing fears for its future due to internal conflicts.
• Chairwoman Sophie Chandauka accused Harry of bullying, while he condemned “blatant lies” impacting the charity's mission.

The troubled charity Sentebale is now under investigation by Britain's Charity Commission following an escalating dispute involving Prince Harry and its board of trustees. The Duke of Sussex, who co-founded the charity in memory of his mother, Princess Diana, announced his resignation amid claims of poor governance and infighting. He expressed hope that the inquiry will "unveil the truth" behind the chaotic circumstances of his departure.

Harry's comments came as the Charity Commission confirmed it has opened a regulatory compliance case focused on concerns regarding governance practices within Sentebale, which supports young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The investigation was prompted by allegations from the charity's chair, Sophie Chandauka, who publicly accused Harry of orchestrating a covering up of severe internal issues, including claims of bullying and harassment towards her.

In a recent statement, Prince Harry described the week following resignations from the board as "heartbreaking" and criticized the accusations as "blatant lies" that could harm those who have dedicated their lives to the charity's cause. He stated, "We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign," underscoring that the primary concern remains the welfare of Sentebale’s beneficiaries.

In retaliation, Chandauka confirmed in an interview that she had reported governance issues to the Charity Commission and expressed frustration over the media's portrayal of the charity's operations, suggesting a culture of silence had hindered open discussions about misconduct. She pointed to an incident involving Prince Harry's collaboration with a Netflix production team as detrimental to the charity’s fundraising efforts, labeling him "belligerent" in board meetings.

Chandauka's accusations have attracted significant media scrutiny, particularly as they follow Harry's earlier split from the British royal family. The chairman's comments about him attempting to control narratives through a "PR machine" aggravate an already tumultuous situation, further entrenching the public’s interest in the unfolding events at Sentebale.

Harry and his fellow co-founder, Prince Seeiso, who have both stepped away from their roles as patrons, are looking towards the investigation to clarify governance structures and restore confidence in the charity's future. As the inquiry unfolds, the response from the commission will determine the legitimacy of Chandauka's claims and whether governance at Sentebale aligns with charity laws in the UK.

For further details, you can read more at BBC, Newsweek, HuffPost, and South China Morning Post.