The dad-of-two co-founded the charity with friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006. It was created in honour of his mother, the Princess of Wales, and sole mission was to help people in southern Africa who were living with HIV and Aids.
Prince Harry steps down from Sentebale charity
Harry, along with Prince Seeiso, stepped down following a row between the trustees and the chair of its board, Dr Sophie Chanduaka.
The relationship “broke down beyond repair” after she was asked to resign.
Dr Chandauka said she reported the trustees over alleged issues within the charity over abuse of power, bullying, sexism and racism to the UK Charity Commission.
The Commission said it was “aware of concerns about the governance” and an investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Seeiso said they were resigning from their roles at Sentebale following the internal row.
They said: “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.”
The pair added the decision came with “heavy hearts”.
Harry accused of playing ‘the victim card’
Dr Chanduaka hit back with a statement of her own, saying her work at the organisation had been “guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all”.
She claimed: “There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.”
Now, a new message from Sentebale Instagram’s stories have dealt another blow to Prince Harry, who loved working with the charity.
Hours after the news came out, it reads: “While Trustees are key for governance and regulation, and Patrons – especially Founders – are an honour to have, it’s the people in the field who are advancing the work, no matter what”.
Royal Insider have approached the Duke of Sussex’s representatives for comment.
Duke’s emotional speech
At the time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were leaving the UK for overseas, Prince Harry made an emotional speech about the impact Sentebale had on him after the charity had been a part of all his adult life.
In January 2020 he delivered the speech at a dinner.
He told guests at the time: “Together, you have given me an education about living, and this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could ever have imagined.
“We are taking a leap of faith, so thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step.”
Harry continued: “When I lost my mum… you took me under your wing. You looked out for me for so long.”
The Duke set up the charity with friend Seeiso after spending a gap year in Lesotho at age 19, before military training.
Sentebale means ‘forget-me-not’ in the language of Lesotho, Sesotho, which was the Princess of Wales’ favourite flower.
Prince Harry’s statement
The statement read: “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.
“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 added: “What’s transpired is unthinkable.
“We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
