Prince Harry’s recent resignation from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006 in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, has taken the public by surprise and raised questions about the charity’s operations.
The Duke of Sussex, who has long been dedicated to charitable causes, expressed his “heartbreak” over stepping down from the organization he helped establish alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. His emotional resignation statement shocked many, especially as he had remained heavily involved with the charity despite moving to the United States.
Reports suggest that Harry’s decision to leave Sentebale was a result of an ongoing dispute with the charity’s chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. However, the fallout from his departure has only intensified as disturbing details about the charity’s operations have come to light.
According to a DailyMail report, Sentebale is currently in disarray, with its London office temporarily shut down and its website offering vague assurances that “the work continues” despite mounting challenges. The charity has faced criticism for its alleged mismanagement in recent years, with troubling reports dating back to 2008.
Local childcare workers revealed that the charity’s western leadership enjoyed generous salaries, new cars, and private school fees for their children, while the very children the charity aimed to help—HIV orphans in Lesotho—were reportedly going without basic needs such as food. These disparities have raised concerns about the charity’s priorities and effectiveness.
The situation remained problematic when Prince Harry visited the charity’s headquarters in October 2024. Just a short distance from Sentebale’s offices, an impoverished family of orphaned children was reportedly denied food, further shedding light on the charity’s inability to support those in need. Liketso Matela, a grandmother to five orphaned children, shared her frustration with the charity’s neglect, stating that they had received no assistance despite repeated requests for food and clothing.
“Prince Harry didn’t wave or stop to say hello to us when he drove by to the ceremony,” Matela told the outlet. “I have asked his Sentebale to give my grandchildren a few meals, even some clothing. The staff at the door have always said no. We have got nothing from them.”
Despite celebrating two decades of Sentebale’s achievements, the charity appears to have struggled in delivering on its promises. With donor support reportedly dwindling amidst the ongoing legal dispute between Harry and the charity’s leadership, Sentebale faces an uncertain future. Ironically, the charity’s name, which translates to “forget me not,” now seems to reflect its failure to care for the very people it was designed to help.
As the charity navigates its uncertain future, it remains to be seen whether it will be able to recover from the controversy and rebuild the trust it has lost.
