Investigation into Sentebale concludes, as per statement from Prince Harry: Findings were anticipatable
In a significant development, the UK's charity watchdog, the Charity Commission, has issued a Regulatory Action Plan for Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The plan aims to address the current issues within the charity, which has served over 100,000 vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana for 19 years, providing care for young people living with HIV/AIDS and those facing mental health challenges.
The regulatory compliance case, which concluded on August 6, 2025, was prompted by accusations of bullying made by Dr Sophie Chandauka, the charity's chair. However, the Charity Commission's report found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir at Sentebale.
The dispute centered around governance weaknesses caused mainly by unclear role descriptions and internal policies, leading to tensions, public airing of conflicts, and multiple resignations of trustees and founding patrons, including a serious rift involving Prince Harry. The Charity Commission criticized all parties for allowing the dispute to become public, emphasizing that the failure of trustees to internally resolve conflicts damaged the charity’s reputation and public trust.
The Regulatory Action Plan outlines the next steps for the current trustees to improve Sentebale's operations and governance. It includes introducing a new policy and procedure for handling internal complaints, including whistleblowing mechanisms, and implementing clearer role definitions and internal governance policies to prevent future disputes and improve management.
Sentebale, under the leadership of Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry, and the former Board of Trustees, has grown from a small idea to a significant force for good. Prince Harry views Sentebale as a deeply personal and transformative mission. The Duke of Sussex has announced that he plans to focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.
The consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support. The charity has publicly welcomed the findings and committed to implementing the recommended policies to improve internal governance and dispute resolution.
It's worth noting that the Regulatory Action Plan does not specify any consequences for the current chair's actions or mention any accusations of bullying against Prince Harry. The spokesperson for Prince Harry announced the Charity Commission's findings to the media.
The Charity Commission's report has been criticized for falling short in many regards. Despite this, the Regulatory Action Plan represents a step forward for Sentebale, aiming to strengthen its governance and ensure a more stable future for the vulnerable children it serves.
- The Regulatory Action Plan aims to address governance weaknesses at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, to prevent future disputes and improve management.
- Prince Harry views Sentebale as a deeply personal and transformative mission, and has announced that he plans to focus on finding new ways to continue supporting vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana.
- The consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her, but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support.
- The Charity Commission's report, which did not specify any consequences for the current chair's actions or mention any accusations of bullying against Prince Harry, represents a step forward for Sentebale, aiming to strengthen its governance and ensure a more stable future for the vulnerable children it serves.
