Sentebale, the African children’s charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana, has responded publicly after the Duke of Sussex issued an emotional statement regarding his resignation from the charity’s board. The response comes as the Charity Commission has launched an investigation into the leadership crisis that led to the resignations of Prince Harry, Prince Seeiso, and several trustees.
The controversy began when chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka refused to step down, despite growing unrest among the charity’s leadership. This disagreement sparked a series of mass resignations, with several key figures leaving in protest. As a result, the Charity Commission initiated an inquiry to investigate whether the charity’s leadership had acted appropriately in this delicate situation.
In a public statement, Dr. Chandauka expressed support for the Charity Commission’s inquiry, saying, “We initiated an internal governance review last year, and we will share the findings with the Charity Commission.” Her comment reflects an openness to transparency and a commitment to addressing the internal issues that have plagued the charity.
Carmel Gaillard, the charity’s Executive Director, also addressed the crisis, adding, “We welcome the clarity this process will bring. Transparency and accountability are central to how we operate.” The charity’s leadership is clearly aiming to restore trust and ensure that Sentebale moves forward in a more transparent and accountable manner.
This statement from Sentebale’s leadership comes after Prince Harry’s own emotional remarks. In his statement, the Duke described the situation as “heartbreaking” and condemned what he referred to as “blatant lies” that he believes have caused significant harm to the charity’s reputation. He further stated, “We fully expect [the inquiry] will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign,” adding that he hopes the charity is placed “in the right hands immediately.”
The controversy surrounding Sentebale’s leadership and the mass resignations has captured significant attention, with many awaiting the outcome of the Charity Commission’s investigation. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso’s involvement with Sentebale has long been a source of pride, as the charity works to improve the lives of children in Southern Africa affected by HIV/AIDS.
As the inquiry progresses, both the charity and the public hope for a resolution that will restore the organization’s integrity and strengthen its mission to help those in need.
