Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, is being accused by Sophie Chandauka, the president of Sentebale, a charity in Africa which he co-founded, of harassment and intimidation since 2023, in a context of internal conflict.

Following the collective resignation of five board members, Prince Harry has resigned as godfather of the NGO that supports AIDS orphans in Lesotho and is facing a serious financial crisis. The legal case in London's High Court could determine the organization's future.

Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry in 2006, has become a symbol of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. The crisis began with the appointment of Sophie Chandauka as president in July 2023. Board members accused her of authoritarian management and misallocation of resources. The conflict escalated to the British courts in March 2024.

Chandauka countered by claiming that Prince Harry led a campaign to discredit her. In an interview with Sky News, she presented emails and recordings as evidence ofsystematic intimidationPrince Harry, currently residing in California, has not commented publicly, but sources close to the organization have denied the allegations. The NGO has seen a 40% drop in donations since 2021.

The controversy includes Netflix's participation in a 2023 event where Meghan Markle and Chandauka were involved in tense moments. Footage from the event, part of a Netflix documentary, went viral on social media. Former board members denied allegations of pressure to promote Meghan. The crisis exposed the weaknesses in the management of celebrity-linked NGOs.

Conflict in Management

Sentebale operated without controversy for 17 years, focusing on orphaned children in Lesotho and Botswana. The appointment of Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwean lawyer, in 2023 changed the internal dynamics. Her leadership style, described as “centralizer", generated friction with board members. In January 2024, five directors demanded his resignation over alleged embezzlement.

Chandauka responded with a lawsuit accusing Prince Harry of spreading false information to undermine her, leading him to announce his departure as godfather in solidarity with the resigning employees, but kept the donations anonymous. The British court scheduled preliminary hearings for May 2024, with testimony from the NGO's employees.

The drop in donations led to the closure of two support centers in Lesotho in March. European donors, including the Gates Foundation, froze funding until the process was completed. Local staff report salary delays and cuts in antiretroviral medications.

“This affects children who depend on us,” said an anonymous nurse.

The 2023 polo event, filmed by Netflix, heightened tensions. Chandauka accused Prince Harry of using the event to promote Meghan, diverting focus from the charity. The footage shows the duchess adjusting her dress on stage while the president held the trophy. The film crew was accused of invading donor areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic had already weakened the NGO, with losses of $1,2 million in 2020. Chandauka claims to have stabilized operations through local partnerships, without Prince Harry's support.

“I was the one who secured vaccines and food during the lockdown.”

Chandauka highlighted in an interview. However, some disagree and attribute the recovery to emergency donations from the European Union.

The legal crisis is dividing opinion between Prince Harry's supporters and Chandauka's defenders. On social media, hashtags like #JusticeForSentebale and #HarryGuilty have gone viral in Africa and Europe. Sentebale issued a statement calling for "respect for due processl”, but avoided taking public sides.

“We need transparency, not real dramas.”

A European ambassador told the BBC: "Meanwhile, 5.000 children in Lesotho await solutions to interrupted programs. Unfortunately, the organization's future depends on its ability to regain donor trust."

Humanitarian Impact

Sentebale was supporting 15.000 children in 2023, with education, health, and nutrition programs. The financial crisis reduced this number to 10.000 by March 2024. Psychosocial counseling centers, vital for trauma-affected orphans, were the most affected. According to an internal Sentebale report, the crisis led to the loss of 30% of its psychologists.

The lack of antiretrovirals threatens to reverse progress in controlling HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The country has the second-highest prevalence rate of the disease in the world (22%). Doctors Without Borders warned of the risks of a “lost generation” if the NGO fails.

Private donors, such as the Angolan company Sonangol, suspended contributions in April. According to a Sonangol spokesperson, the company doesn't fund controversies; it funds lives. The African Union offered to mediate between the parties, but Chandauka declined, preferring to resolve the case in the British courts.

Local employees fear mass layoffs if the crisis persists. Sentebale employs 200 people in Lesotho and 50 in Botswana, most of them women. The scandal has affected other celebrity-linked NGOs. The Clinton Foundation and UNICEF have revisited their transparency protocols following the scandal.

“Celebrities bring visibility, but also risks”, admitted a UN consultant in an interview.

Prince Harry continues to raise funds through the Archewell Foundation, his new US organization, which has been accused of abandoning Sentebale at a critical time.

“He used Africa as a backdrop for his image”, said a South African activist on X.

Reconciliation seems unlikely. Chandauka demands “public apology" by Prince Harry, while her supporters pressure her to resign. In reality, what is at the center of the debate and the true cause of this controversy is Diana's legacy, the inspiration for Sentebale.

Conclusion

The court case between Prince Harry and Chandauka redefines the challenges facing NGOs linked to public figures. Sentebale, once a model of humanitarian cooperation, has become an example of the risks of mixing fame and philanthropy. The legal outcome will influence global donations and the credibility of similar projects.

While the courts decide, sadly, African children pay the price of the dispute. The international community demands swift solutions, but judicial bureaucracy prolongs the uncertainty. Diana's legacy, now tarnished, awaits a gesture of reconciliation that seems distant.