Prince Harry and Meghan Markle find themselves at the center of another controversy involving one of their charitable organizations.
According to NewsNation, Prince Harry is experiencing deep depression and embarrassment following his forced departure from Sentebale, a charity he founded years ago to combat AIDS in Lesotho.
The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho recently resigned as patrons of Sentebale, following a heated dispute with the organization's chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka. The conflict emerged after an incident involving Meghan Markle at a 2024 polo event, which led to accusations of bullying and harassment from both sides.
Chandauka, who assumed the role of chairwoman in June 2023, claims Prince Harry sent her hostile messages after she refused to defend Meghan Markle's unexpected appearance at a trophy presentation. The situation worsened when reports surfaced about Chandauka's controversial spending of $600,000 on consultants, raising concerns about the charity's financial management.
The organization's board of trustees resigned due to irreconcilable differences with Chandauka. This mass exodus prompted Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to step down from their positions in solidarity with the board members.
Alex Raynor, Prince Harry's close friend from Eton, spoke to the Daily Mail defending the prince's position. He suggested that Chandauka's actions stemmed from jealousy over Meghan Markle's presence at the event.
According to Raynor:
The way he feels is as if he has had one of his fingers cut off. He set up Sentebale with a school friend when the death of his mum was a fresh memory... At the moment, he is just in total shock about what is being said and the accusations being made.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso released a joint statement expressing their disappointment:
With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. 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.
The situation has reportedly taken a significant toll on Prince Harry's mental health, compounded by concerns over King Charles' ongoing cancer treatment. Sources claim the prince has become increasingly reclusive in his Montecito home.
Prince Harry continues to lead other charitable organizations, including the Invictus Games for wounded warriors and Archewell, the foundation he established with Meghan Markle. However, the loss of Sentebale has deeply affected him, as it was one of his earliest charitable ventures.
Despite attempts to resolve the situation, the relationship between the charity's leadership and Chandauka appears irreparable. The chairwoman has taken legal action to maintain her position, further complicating any potential reconciliation.
Representatives for Prince Harry have declined to comment on the ongoing situation, maintaining silence amid growing speculation about the future of his charitable work.
The conflict surrounding Sentebale has created ripples throughout the charitable sector and royal circles. Prince Harry's forced departure from the organization he founded to honor his mother's legacy has left him deeply affected and withdrawn. The dispute between Chandauka and the charity's board, complicated by Meghan Markle's involvement and accusations of financial mismanagement, has led to a complete breakdown in leadership. As the legal battle continues and the charity's future remains uncertain, the impact on both the organization's mission and Prince Harry's philanthropic legacy hangs in the balance.
