Prince Harry Sued by Charity He Co-Founded
A legal challenge has been initiated by Sentebale, the charity co-established by the Duke of Sussex, against him. The organization, which focuses on aiding youth in southern Africa, asserts that the lawsuit stems from an alleged “adverse media campaign” that has allegedly disrupted operations and damaged its public image. A representative from the charity’s board and an executive director stated that the court case aims to secure “intervention, protection, and restitution” against coordinated media criticisms, which they argue have weakened the charity’s impact on the communities it serves.
Defendants and Legal Funding
Prince Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer are named as defendants in the claim, which was formally listed on 24 March. The charity’s current trustees emphasized that legal expenses are entirely covered by external sources, with no use of charitable funds. In response, a spokesperson for Harry and Dyer dismissed the accusations as “offensive and damaging,” insisting they reject the claims outright.
Boardroom Dispute and Departure
The rift within Sentebale began last year, leading to the departure of Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso alongside a group of trustees. The split was reportedly fueled by disagreements over financial management and fundraising strategies, with tensions escalating between the duo and the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. Both parties exchanged accusations of misconduct, resulting in an investigation by the Charity Commission.
Commission’s Critique of the Dispute
The Charity Commission concluded in August that the conflict had affected all involved, criticizing how the dispute unfolded in the public eye. “Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardizing the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve,” stated David Holdsworth, the commission’s chief executive.
Charity’s Origins and Harry’s Contribution
Established in 2006, Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry in tribute to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity works specifically with young people in Botswana and Lesotho, targeting those affected by HIV and Aids. Harry had previously contributed £1.2m from the profits of his memoir Spare, describing his exit as “devastating.” Those outside the UK can sign up for the Royal Watch newsletter to stay updated on royal news and analysis.
