Sentebale, the African charity co-founded by Prince Harry in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana, has initiated legal proceedings against the Prince for defamation. The lawsuit was filed in London's High Court last month, marking a significant escalation in disputes surrounding the organization.

Legal Action Against Prince Harry and Mark Dyer

Court records confirmed the suit, with online filings indicating that Prince Harry and Sentebale trustee Mark Dyer are being sued for libel or slander. The precise details of the accusations have not yet been publicly disclosed, as supporting documents were not immediately available.

Deep Divisions Emerge Within Sentebale

This legal action highlights deep divisions within Sentebale since Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the co-founders, stepped down as patrons in March 2025. Their departure followed reported disagreements over a new fundraising strategy.

Fractured Relationships and Reputational Damage

The disputes led to a breakdown in the relationship between the Sentebale board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka. Accusations of bullying and harassment have emerged, causing intense scrutiny and damage to the charity's reputation.

Genesis of the Legal Battle

The current legal battle originated from internal conflicts within Sentebale in 2023, primarily concerning fundraising approaches. These disagreements culminated in the resignations of Harry and Prince Seeiso as patrons.

Public Accusations and Investigations

Following their departure, it was declared that the relationship between the board and Chair Sophie Chandauka was irreparably fractured. Chandauka subsequently accused Prince Harry of orchestrating a campaign of bullying and harassment against her.

This prompted an investigation by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. While the investigation did not find evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny, it criticized both parties for allowing the dispute to become public.

Impact on Beneficiaries and Reputation

The Charity Commission's findings emphasized the detrimental impact of the controversy. The public dispute jeopardized Sentebale's reputation and its ability to support its beneficiaries: young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho.

Charity Commission's Assessment

David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, stated in August 2025 that the public nature of the problems at Sentebale enabled a damaging dispute to harm the charity's reputation. He noted it risked overshadowing achievements and jeopardizing the charity's delivery for its beneficiaries.

Fallout and Escalation

The fallout from the commission's report further intensified tensions. Prince Harry's spokesman criticized the report's conclusions, while Chandauka welcomed them, underscoring the deep divide within the organization.

The lawsuit represents the culmination of these events, from fundraising disagreements to public accusations and investigations. It has the potential to reveal more about Sentebale's internal workings and its mission to support young people affected by HIV in Africa.