Prince Harry has been officially exonerated of bullying accusations by the UK’s charity regulator following a highly publicized dispute with Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded.
However, the commission strongly condemned the way internal disagreements within the organization became a public spectacle, ultimately damaging the charity’s standing.
Sentebale found itself engulfed in controversy earlier this year, particularly in March and April, after its chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, made public accusations against Prince Harry, alleging he engaged in “bullying” behavior.
The dispute came to a head shortly after Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, revealed their intention to resign from the organization. Their announcement came amid significant turmoil, as trustees walked away in protest over Chandauka’s refusal to step aside, despite their calls for her resignation.
Founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, Sentebale was created to honor Princess Diana’s memory by supporting children and youth impacted by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, and later, in Botswana. The charity’s work, inspired by Diana’s humanitarian legacy, has long been a cornerstone of Prince Harry’s philanthropic pursuits.
Following an extended investigation, the Charity Commission stated that there was “no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir,” as had been suggested by Chandauka. While the commission dismissed the bullying allegations, it did not spare either side from criticism. It noted that the public unraveling of the charity’s internal affairs significantly harmed its image and credibility.
The commission highlighted issues of poor leadership structure, pointing to “a lack of clarity in delegations” that contributed to administrative mismanagement. As a corrective measure, the regulator has presented Sentebale with a plan to address identified governance weaknesses and improve overall accountability within the charity’s operations.
In a brief statement responding to the findings, Sentebale said it “welcomes” the commission’s report. Chandauka, who assumed her voluntary role as chair in 2023 and continues to serve in that capacity, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the report validated the governance issues she had initially flagged in private back in February 2025. Notably, she did not comment on the dismissal of the core bullying allegations.
Back in April, Harry had responded to the unfolding situation with clear dismay, stating that witnessing such falsehoods take root had been “heartbreaking,” especially when they affected those who had devoted years to the organization’s cause. The fallout intensified after Chandauka, in interviews with British media, criticized Harry for what she called inappropriate conduct—specifically, inviting a Netflix film crew to a polo fundraising event and allowing his wife, Meghan, to make an unannounced appearance.
This latest controversy added further strain to Harry’s post-royal image. Since stepping away from official duties in 2020 and relocating to North America with Meghan and their children, he has only maintained a few of his personal patronages—Sentebale among the most prominent.
Commenting on the path forward, David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, urged everyone involved to refocus their energies on the charity’s true purpose: supporting the vulnerable populations who rely on its programs. He emphasized that improving internal systems and restoring public trust should now be the main priority.
The name “Sentebale,” which means “forget me not” in the Sesotho language and is also used as a farewell phrase, was chosen by Prince Harry to honor his late mother’s legacy of compassion. Despite the turmoil, Chandauka ended her statement on a note of unity and commitment, reaffirming that the organization would always be driven by the founding vision of Princes Harry and Seeiso.
What you should know
Prince Harry has been officially cleared of bullying allegations following a damaging leadership crisis at Sentebale, the charity he co-founded.
Although the UK’s charity watchdog found no evidence of misconduct, it criticized all parties for making the dispute public and called for immediate improvements to the organization’s internal management.
