Prince Harry Cleared of Bullying Charges in Charity Dispute
Prince Harry has publicly responded after being cleared of bullying allegations related to his role with the charitable organization Sentebale. On August 6, 2023, Britain’s Charity Commission announced it found no evidence of bullying within the organization, which Prince Harry co-founded to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana.
The Charity Commission’s investigation followed a public dispute involving the board of trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka. In March 2023, Prince Harry stepped down as a patron of Sentebale amid accusations made by Chandauka, which included claims of bullying, racism, and misogyny. The Commission criticized all parties for allowing their internal disputes to become public, stating that this had damaged the charity’s reputation.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry stated, “Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to” the prince, emphasizing that the report also found no evidence of “widespread bullying, harassment, or misogyny” as claimed by Chandauka. The spokesperson expressed concern that the repercussions of the chair’s actions would affect the vulnerable children that Sentebale serves, rather than her personally.
The Charity Commission’s report indicated that while there was a lack of evidence for serious misconduct, the organization faced significant governance issues. It highlighted the absence of clear policies and procedures for handling internal complaints, prompting the Commission to issue a regulatory action plan to address these shortcomings.
David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, noted, “Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation.”
Co-founded by Prince Harry in 2006 in memory of his mother, Princess Diana, Sentebale means “forget-me-not” in the local language of Lesotho. The charity was established to assist some of the most vulnerable children in southern Africa. Following the conflict, both Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho resigned in support of the board of trustees, who had requested Chandauka to step down.
In their joint statement, Harry and Seeiso lamented, “It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.” They emphasized the importance of their mission, which aims to support young people in need.
In response to her critics, Chandauka stated she would continue to fulfill her role as chair. She voiced discontent over the portrayal of her actions, claiming they were misrepresented in the media and described the situation as a “victim narrative.” “There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law,” she said, referring to the challenges she faced as chair.
Prince Harry, who relocated to California with his wife, Duchess Meghan, and their two children after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, has remained committed to charitable efforts in Africa. He visited Nigeria last year, continuing his engagement with various humanitarian causes.
As Prince Harry shifts his focus away from Sentebale, he aims to explore new avenues for supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana. The ongoing developments highlight the complexities involved in charitable governance and the significant impact of leadership disputes on organizations dedicated to vulnerable populations.
