Charity leadership sees shake-up as Prince Harry and others depart–The feud behind the scenes
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In a move that has sent ripples through royal circles and the philanthropic community alike, Prince Harry has made the unexpected decision to step down from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago.
This dramatic departure comes amid a whirlwind of controversy and a leadership row that has unfolded behind the scenes, leaving many to wonder about the details of the secret feud that led to this moment.
Sentebale, which means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, was established by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 as a tribute to their late mothers.
The organization's mission has been to support African orphans and combat poverty and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, a cause close to Harry's heart and reflective of his mother Princess Diana's legacy.
The charity has seen Prince Harry actively involved, traveling to Africa to support its initiatives and attending fundraising events, such as a notable one in New York last December.
However, the internal strife that has plagued Sentebale recently culminated in a leadership crisis that no one saw coming. Harry is said to have quit in solidarity with Prince Seeiso after “the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
The crux of the issue appears to be a breakdown in the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board, Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer appointed last year.
Disagreements over the direction of the charity, particularly a decision to move its fundraising operations to Africa, led to a series of resignations and a lawsuit that has shaken the foundation of Sentebale.
In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry expressed their shock and dismay at the developments, stating, “What's transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this.”
They continued, “Today is no different. 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.”
The former trustees, including Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West, cited a “loss in trust and confidence in the chair of the board” as the reason for their unanimous resignation. They emphasized their commitment to the charity's best interests and expressed their heartbreak over the need to step down.
They also said that they made the “difficult decision to unanimously resign' but are 'deeply proud to have supported the visionary work of the founding patrons Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry.”
The controversy has not only affected the charity's leadership but also its operations. Richard Miller, the chief executive of Sentebale, and Baroness Chalker, a former director, have both left their roles, signaling a significant shift within the organization.
In response to the upheaval, Sentebale has announced a restructuring of its board, aiming to align senior roles with its programs in Southern Africa.
This strategic move is part of Sentebale's transformation agenda, which seeks to address broader issues of youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in the region.
Dr. Chandauka, for her part, has vehemently defended her position, alleging a “cover-up” and accusing her colleagues of misconduct.
She has positioned herself as a whistleblower and vowed to continue her role as chair, focusing on fundraising and the mission of Sentebale.
The Charity Commission has acknowledged awareness of the governance concerns at Sentebale and is assessing the situation to determine the appropriate regulatory response.
The trustees stated that their main concern has always been the well-being of the organization, expressing regret that internal tensions had escalated so severely.
“Our priority has always been, and will always be, what’s in the best interest of the charity,” they said, adding that it was “desperately sad the breakdown in relationship escalated to a lawsuit by the chair against the charity, to block us from voting her out after our request for her resignation was rejected.”
They explained their departure was a last resort to protect the charity from legal and financial strain. “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions,” they said. “This was not a choice willingly made, but rather something we felt forced into in order to look after the charity.”
Chairwoman Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Chandauka has refused to resign, leading to the exit of multiple trustees, including Mark Dyer, a close and longtime friend of Prince Harry.
Meanwhile, a Sentebale spokesperson said the charity had not yet received formal notice of Prince Harry’s resignation.
A spokesperson for the Charity Commission confirmed to the Mail that they are looking into concerns raised about the charity’s leadership, stating, “We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale. We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
This comes in the wake of several high-profile departures from Sentebale. Richard Miller stepped down after five years as chief executive, following the earlier exit of Baroness Chalker, the former overseas development minister, who left the board a month prior.
The charity also lost longtime trustee and advertising executive Johnny Hornby, who resigned after 11 years—five of them as chairman.
The Mail on Sunday also reported that Andrew Tucker, affectionately known by Prince Harry as “Tucks,” stepped down from a senior role at the organization after nearly a decade of service.
A Sentebale spokesperson attributed the leadership changes to strategic restructuring, saying the board reshuffle was part of a broader plan to realign the charity’s leadership closer to its programs in Southern Africa:
"We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our Board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year."
They explained the charity's evolution, adding, "In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa."
The statement also cited the success of the Return to Southern Africa (RTSA) campaign in October 2024, which helped demonstrate Sentebale’s expanded mission.
That initiative was followed by the appointment of Carmel Gaillard as Interim Executive Director in Johannesburg in December 2024.
"The recalibration of the Board is, therefore, part of Sentebale’s ambitious transformation agenda."
In a strongly worded statement to the Mail, Dr. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Chandauka, Chair of Sentebale, made explosive allegations of misconduct within the organization, citing “weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir.” She accused colleagues of a “cover-up”, stating:
"For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a world-class education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means."
Dr. Chandauka said her decision to join Sentebale stemmed from her identity and values:
"I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected. Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve."
Source: Sunrise / Youtube.
She went on to condemn those who, in her view, misuse their influence and manipulate the media.
"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."
Questioning the motives behind the backlash, she added: "Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? … Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle."
Despite the controversy, she reaffirmed her commitment to the organization’s mission, saying, "I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa."
Dr. Chandauka concluded, "I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale. I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa."
What are your thoughts on this issue? How do you navigate the delicate balance between personal values and organizational goals? Share your insights in the comments below!
This dramatic departure comes amid a whirlwind of controversy and a leadership row that has unfolded behind the scenes, leaving many to wonder about the details of the secret feud that led to this moment.
Sentebale, which means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, was established by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 as a tribute to their late mothers.
The organization's mission has been to support African orphans and combat poverty and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, a cause close to Harry's heart and reflective of his mother Princess Diana's legacy.
The charity has seen Prince Harry actively involved, traveling to Africa to support its initiatives and attending fundraising events, such as a notable one in New York last December.
However, the internal strife that has plagued Sentebale recently culminated in a leadership crisis that no one saw coming. Harry is said to have quit in solidarity with Prince Seeiso after “the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
Prince Harry has resigned from the charity Sentebale, which he co-founded, along with the entire board of trustees, amid leadership disputes. Image source: Sunrise / Youtube.
The crux of the issue appears to be a breakdown in the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board, Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer appointed last year.
Disagreements over the direction of the charity, particularly a decision to move its fundraising operations to Africa, led to a series of resignations and a lawsuit that has shaken the foundation of Sentebale.
In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry expressed their shock and dismay at the developments, stating, “What's transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this.”
They continued, “Today is no different. 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.”
The former trustees, including Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West, cited a “loss in trust and confidence in the chair of the board” as the reason for their unanimous resignation. They emphasized their commitment to the charity's best interests and expressed their heartbreak over the need to step down.
They also said that they made the “difficult decision to unanimously resign' but are 'deeply proud to have supported the visionary work of the founding patrons Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry.”
The controversy has not only affected the charity's leadership but also its operations. Richard Miller, the chief executive of Sentebale, and Baroness Chalker, a former director, have both left their roles, signaling a significant shift within the organization.
In response to the upheaval, Sentebale has announced a restructuring of its board, aiming to align senior roles with its programs in Southern Africa.
The charity focuses on assisting African orphans and tackling poverty and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana and was created in memory of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. Image source: ITV News / Youtube.
This strategic move is part of Sentebale's transformation agenda, which seeks to address broader issues of youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in the region.
Dr. Chandauka, for her part, has vehemently defended her position, alleging a “cover-up” and accusing her colleagues of misconduct.
She has positioned herself as a whistleblower and vowed to continue her role as chair, focusing on fundraising and the mission of Sentebale.
The Charity Commission has acknowledged awareness of the governance concerns at Sentebale and is assessing the situation to determine the appropriate regulatory response.
The trustees stated that their main concern has always been the well-being of the organization, expressing regret that internal tensions had escalated so severely.
“Our priority has always been, and will always be, what’s in the best interest of the charity,” they said, adding that it was “desperately sad the breakdown in relationship escalated to a lawsuit by the chair against the charity, to block us from voting her out after our request for her resignation was rejected.”
They explained their departure was a last resort to protect the charity from legal and financial strain. “We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions,” they said. “This was not a choice willingly made, but rather something we felt forced into in order to look after the charity.”
A breakdown in the relationship with the chair of the board, Sophie Chandauka, led to the trust issue and the eventual mass resignation. Image source: eNCA / Wikimedia Commons.
Chairwoman Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Chandauka has refused to resign, leading to the exit of multiple trustees, including Mark Dyer, a close and longtime friend of Prince Harry.
Meanwhile, a Sentebale spokesperson said the charity had not yet received formal notice of Prince Harry’s resignation.
A spokesperson for the Charity Commission confirmed to the Mail that they are looking into concerns raised about the charity’s leadership, stating, “We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale. We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
This comes in the wake of several high-profile departures from Sentebale. Richard Miller stepped down after five years as chief executive, following the earlier exit of Baroness Chalker, the former overseas development minister, who left the board a month prior.
The charity also lost longtime trustee and advertising executive Johnny Hornby, who resigned after 11 years—five of them as chairman.
The Mail on Sunday also reported that Andrew Tucker, affectionately known by Prince Harry as “Tucks,” stepped down from a senior role at the organization after nearly a decade of service.
A Sentebale spokesperson attributed the leadership changes to strategic restructuring, saying the board reshuffle was part of a broader plan to realign the charity’s leadership closer to its programs in Southern Africa:
"We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our Board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year."
Sentebale is facing governance concerns and has undergone a restructuring with new leadership to focus on youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in Southern Africa. Image source: Sunrise / Youtube.
They explained the charity's evolution, adding, "In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa."
The statement also cited the success of the Return to Southern Africa (RTSA) campaign in October 2024, which helped demonstrate Sentebale’s expanded mission.
That initiative was followed by the appointment of Carmel Gaillard as Interim Executive Director in Johannesburg in December 2024.
"The recalibration of the Board is, therefore, part of Sentebale’s ambitious transformation agenda."
Prince Harry steps away from the controversy. Image source: Sunrise / Youtube.
In a strongly worded statement to the Mail, Dr. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Chandauka, Chair of Sentebale, made explosive allegations of misconduct within the organization, citing “weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir.” She accused colleagues of a “cover-up”, stating:
"For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a world-class education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means."
Dr. Chandauka said her decision to join Sentebale stemmed from her identity and values:
"I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected. Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve."
Source: Sunrise / Youtube.
She went on to condemn those who, in her view, misuse their influence and manipulate the media.
"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."
Questioning the motives behind the backlash, she added: "Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? … Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle."
Despite the controversy, she reaffirmed her commitment to the organization’s mission, saying, "I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa."
Dr. Chandauka concluded, "I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale. I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa."
What are your thoughts on this issue? How do you navigate the delicate balance between personal values and organizational goals? Share your insights in the comments below!
