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The UK’s charity regulator, the Charity Commission, has concluded that there is no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment, or misogyny at Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity, despite earlier whistleblower claims and a turbulent internal dispute. The findings come after Prince Harry and several trustees resigned earlier this year following a heated boardroom row, with accusations flying between charity leadership and departing members.
While the Commission found no evidence of systemic misconduct, it did highlight governance weaknesses, particularly around the way the dispute was handled publicly, which it said harmed the charity’s reputation. The Commission has given Sentebale a regulatory action plan to address these concerns and improve internal management.
The report detailed how tensions escalated over a new fundraising strategy in the United States, as well as concerns over the charity’s financial health. Though no sanctions were imposed on individuals, the Commission warned that better mechanisms were needed to handle internal disputes and clarified roles within the organization. The current leadership, under Chair Sophie Chandauka, will remain in place, with no reason found to remove her.
The public fallout, however, has left its mark. Prince Harry’s spokesperson welcomed the finding that no bullying or misogyny was present, but criticized the report for failing to hold the current chair accountable for the damage caused. The spokesman also expressed disappointment that the chair remains at the helm, despite the internal turmoil.
Chandauka, for her part, defended the charity’s future, saying that despite the challenges, “we are emerging stronger” and will continue to honor the legacy of the charity’s founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity, which has provided vital support to over 100,000 young people in Southern Africa, continues its mission to support those living with HIV/AIDS and facing mental health challenges.
The Commission’s findings also noted a strong perception of mistreatment by some parties involved in the dispute, though it emphasized that it was not its role to adjudicate on specific claims of bullying or harassment. However, the charity’s leadership will need to improve its governance practices and ensure the charity’s focus remains on serving its beneficiaries, not internal conflicts.
In the end, the Charity Commission urged all parties to remember the cause they serve, and to not allow personal disputes to overshadow the charity’s critical work. “Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity,” said Commission Chief Executive David Holdsworth. “However, when things go wrong, it is often because that passion becomes a weakness rather than a strength.”
For Prince Harry, who co-founded Sentebale as a tribute to the legacies of his late mother, Princess Diana, and Prince Seeiso’s mother, his departure from the organization is a bittersweet chapter. His team has stated that, despite resigning, Harry will continue his efforts to support the children of Lesotho and Botswana through other initiatives.
As Sentebale moves forward, the charity is committed to refocusing on its mission and ensuring it delivers on the vision that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso had for young people in Southern Africa.
