Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, has accused him of spearheading a “coordinated adverse media campaign” that allegedly led to both operational and reputational damage. This accusation comes amid a defamation lawsuit filed against him.
The organization, known for supporting young individuals affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, has initiated a High Court case for libel and slander against Prince Harry and his associate, former royal aide Mark Dyer.
A statement from Sentebale’s Board of Trustees and Executive Director claims the charity has been the target of a “coordinated adverse media campaign” since March 25 of last year.
According to Sentebale, this campaign has caused significant operational disruptions and harmed the charity’s reputation, its leadership, and its strategic partners. Furthermore, it has led to widespread online harassment directed at the charity and its leaders.
The charity alleges that the campaign involved spreading “false narratives” through media outlets, attempts to “undermine” its staff and partner relationships, and forced the leadership to divert time and resources to manage a crisis they did not create.
Sentebale stated that the legal action aims to safeguard its operations and partnerships, assuring that the expenses involved are covered entirely by external funding, with no use of charitable funds.
Harry responded to the allegations in a statement issued by a spokesperson on behalf of him and Mr Dyer. It said: ‘As Sentebale’s co-founder and a founding trustee, they categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.’
Prince Harry speaks at an event with Sophie Chandauka in happier times
Prince Harry founded Sentebale in 2006 in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana
Harry alongside former Royal Equerry Mark Dyer during the Sentebale Concert at Kensington Palace in 2016
Harry dramatically quit the charity’s board last year following a bitter public feud with chairwoman Sophie Chandauka, whose leadership he described as ‘untenable’.
Sentebale, which means ‘forget-me-not’ in the language of Lesotho, southern Africa, was co-founded by the prince in 2006. It has faced a funding crisis since his departure a year ago.
The row with Ms Chandauka began in 2024 when the Sentebale board challenged her over a £400,000 bill for consultants they said had brought little return.
She was asked to step down but instead complained to the Charity Commission, alleging bullying, misogyny and racism.
She accused the the duke of trying to ‘eject’ her through ‘bullying’ and ‘harassment’, which he denies.
After a probe, it found no evidence of bullying, but said there had been weak governance and criticised all parties for allowing an internal dispute to become public.
In March 2025, the trustees resigned en masse, blaming Ms Chandauka’s ‘almost dictatorial’ leadership. Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, resigned as patrons, calling the situation ‘untenable’.
The 41-year-old prince later called the breakdown in the relationship with Ms Chandauka ‘devastating’ and criticised her leadership, saying the consequences ‘will not be borne by her, but by the children who rely on Sentebale’s support’.
Public court records gave no details about the allegations in the lawsuit against Harry and Mr Dyer, who was also a trustee of the charity.
The charity recently slashed staff in the UK and Botswana in a bid to save £1million.
In August last year, four of the five employees based in the organisation’s London office were made redundant, including its global head of finance and compliance.
Sources claim one in five staff in Botswana were also laid off, including the country director Ketlogetswe Montshiwa, and staff said they feared there was a ‘significant cash flow problem’.
Published accounts show Sentebale ran through almost all its reserves as the row deepened in 2024. Monthly income fell by a quarter and the amount of cash in the bank fell from 1.5million to £207,000 by December 2024.
