Escalating Tensions Between Prince Harry and Charity Leader
An alarming rift has emerged between Prince Harry and Sophie Chandauka, a key leader of the charity he co-founded, Sentebale. The situation intensified on Sunday when Ms. Chandauka publicly accused the prince of harassment and bullying, alleging that he attempted to force her out of her role as chair of the charity’s board of trustees.
In an interview with British broadcaster Sky News, Ms. Chandauka expressed her distress following Harry’s sudden resignation as the charity’s patron last week, suggesting that it was a strategic move aimed at undermining the organization after his unsuccessful efforts to remove her from her position. She stated, “Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their families?” She characterized the prince’s actions as an example of harassment and bullying at scale.
A spokesperson for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, opted not to comment on Ms. Chandauka’s latest allegations, which she articulated during the Sky News program “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.”
Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity’s mission is to provide support for young individuals affected by the H.I.V. pandemic in Lesotho. Over the years, it has broadened its scope to include operations in neighboring Botswana, addressing critical issues such as substance abuse, gender-based violence, and climate change, and their impact on youth.
Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, announced his resignation alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho last Wednesday. He cited that the relationship between the board of trustees and Ms. Chandauka had become irreparably damaged. Notably, in the days leading up to this announcement, five of the nine board members had resigned, indicating significant turmoil within the organization.
