Regulators Blast Prince Harry, Seeiso Charity Over Public Dispute
UPDATE: The Charity Commission for England and Wales has sharply criticized both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in a developing dispute over their charity, Sentebale. This comes as the commission revealed that the public nature of the conflict is damaging the charity’s reputation, which supports young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho.
On March 24, 2025, tensions escalated when Prince Harry stepped down as patron in a show of solidarity with trustees who had resigned amidst accusations of mismanagement against the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. The Charity Commission’s CEO, David Holdsworth, stated that the ongoing feud is overshadowing Sentebale’s achievements and jeopardizing its mission to aid vulnerable youth.
“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation,” Holdsworth said in a statement released earlier today. “This risks overshadowing the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve.”
The conflict traces back to April 2023, when the board of trustees attempted to implement a new fundraising strategy in the United States. Concerns were raised about governance, prompting the Charity Commission to launch a review. The report indicated that there was no evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny, contradicting accusations made by Chandauka against Harry.
In a response to the commission’s findings, Harry’s spokesman condemned the report, stating it “falls troublingly short in many regards.” He emphasized that the consequences of Chandauka’s actions would ultimately harm the children reliant on Sentebale’s support.
Chandauka welcomed the commission’s findings, reaffirming her earlier claims about governance issues. She stated, “The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned has caused incalculable damage.”
In light of the controversy, Harry is now exploring alternative avenues to assist youth in Botswana and Lesotho. As the situation develops, both the charity and the princes will be under close scrutiny, with implications that could affect their future engagements and the lives of many vulnerable children who depend on Sentebale’s support.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
