Prince Harry is facing serious allegations of bullying and harassment from Sophie Chandauka, chairperson of Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded. Chandauka claims the Duke of Sussex orchestrated a campaign to force her out, following his unexpected resignation from the organization.
Royal Fallout and Legal Action
Chandauka, speaking on Sky News, accused Harry of interfering in a whistleblower complaint she filed against Sentebale’s trustees with the UK Charity Commission. She also initiated legal action in a British court to prevent her removal, citing misconduct within the organization, though she did not name specific individuals.
In response, Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stated that they stepped down “with heavy hearts” to support the board amid the dispute. They criticized Chandauka for suing the charity to maintain her position, further exacerbating tensions.
Netflix Deal and Fundraising Controversy
One of Chandauka’s grievances involves a fundraiser in Miami, where Harry allegedly tried to bring a Netflix film crew to document the event for a series on polo. This move jeopardized the event, as the venue costs surged due to its commercial nature, forcing organizers to scramble for an alternative location.
Meghan Markle’s Involvement and Social Media Scrutiny
Chandauka also highlighted a tense moment during the event’s trophy presentation, which quickly went viral. In a widely circulated video, she appeared to be gestured away by Meghan Markle, leading to online speculation about Meghan’s behavior toward her.
Following the controversy, Harry reportedly asked Chandauka to publicly support Meghan, a request she refused, asserting that Sentebale “cannot be an extension of the Sussexes.”
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Declining Donor Support and Sentebale’s Future
Chandauka revealed that donor contributions to Sentebale have significantly dropped since Harry and Meghan’s royal exit in 2020. She warned that the biggest threat to the charity is the “toxicity of its lead patron’s brand.”
Originally founded to support youths affected by AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, Sentebale has since expanded its focus to youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in southern Africa.
No Official Response from Harry and Meghan
Sky News reached out to Prince Harry and Meghan, but they declined to comment. The Associated Press also attempted to contact their representatives, but no response was received at the time of publication.
With legal battles underway and reputational stakes high, the fallout between Prince Harry and Sentebale marks yet another public controversy for the Sussexes.
