Prince Harry Steps Down from Sentebale Amid Controversy
The chairwoman of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has publicly accused the former royal of orchestrating a campaign of “harassment and bullying at scale.” This allegation was made during a series of interviews following Harry’s recent announcement of his departure from the organization.
Background on Sentebale
Sentebale, which translates to “forget me not,” was established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity’s mission focuses on supporting individuals in Southern Africa affected by HIV and AIDS, and it was created as a tribute to Harry’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Breakdown in Relations
In their official statement, the Duke of Sussex and his co-founder noted, “our relationship with Dr. Sophie Chandauka has broken down beyond repair,” indicating a significant rift. The princes had previously requested Chandauka to resign, a request she declined, which led to her threatening legal action. This escalating tension was highlighted as further evidence of their fractured relationship.
Accusations of Bullying
In her interviews, Dr. Chandauka described Prince Harry’s conduct as an attempt to force her resignation and prevent her from pursuing a whistleblower complaint. She claimed this complaint included allegations of “abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir.” In discussing the matter, she remarked, “So it’s a cover-up, and the prince is involved,” during a conversation with Sky News.
Disagreements Over Public Relations
Further clarification on the conflict emerged in an interview with the Financial Times, where Chandauka recounted rising tensions over the past year. She refused a request from the Sussexes’ media team to publicly support Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, in response to negative press, asserting that the charity should not serve as an extension of their public relations efforts.
Trust Issues Among Trustees
The charity’s trustees also expressed their concerns regarding Dr. Chandauka’s leadership. They stated that a lack of trust necessitated the departure of five trustees alongside Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, while also mentioning that ongoing legal actions prevented them from officially removing her from her position.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding Sentebale is evolving, with significant implications for its future leadership and operations. As Prince Harry exits, the charity faces scrutiny amid accusations and differing accounts of the events that led to this public fallout.
