LONDON — Charity established by Prince Harry in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana, has initiated legal action against him, accusing the royal of defamation following his resignation as patron.
Court records indicate that Sentebale, which focuses on supporting vulnerable youth affected by HIV in southern Africa, lodged the case at London’s High Court last month. The filings suggest that Prince Harry, alongside longtime associate Mark Dyer, is facing allegations related to defamatory statements, though further details remain undisclosed.
The dispute traces back to internal tensions that surfaced in 2023, reportedly linked to disagreements over a revised fundraising approach. The situation escalated, culminating in the resignation of Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as patrons in March 2025.
At the time of their departure, both founders cited a breakdown in relations between the board of trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, describing the working relationship as irreparably strained. Chandauka, however, pushed back, alleging that the duke had driven a sustained campaign aimed at forcing her removal through intimidation and harassment.
The fallout prompted an inquiry by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, which faulted all parties for allowing the conflict to spill into the public domain. While the regulator stopped short of confirming systemic bullying or misogyny within the organization, it warned that the public dispute had tarnished the charity’s image and threatened its operational effectiveness.
In a statement issued in August 2025, the commission’s chief executive, David Holdsworth, cautioned that the prolonged row risked undermining Sentebale’s mission and overshadowing its impact on beneficiaries.
Reactions to the report were mixed. Prince Harry’s representatives took issue with the findings, while Chandauka publicly endorsed the Conclusion.
