Sophie Chandauka, chair of the African charity Sentebale co-founded by Prince Harry, accused the royal of leading a bullying and harassment campaign against her after his sudden resignation from the organization. Chandauka claimed that Harry’s Netflix deal disrupted a planned fundraiser and that tensions with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, contributed to the fallout.
Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho announced their resignation as patrons, citing a breakdown in relations with Chandauka. They stated that the situation had become untenable and that Chandauka’s lawsuit to retain her position highlighted the strained dynamics.
Chandauka responded by reporting the charity’s trustees to the UK’s Charity Commission and filing legal documents to prevent her removal. She alleged misconduct at Sentebale without naming specific individuals, claiming she had attempted to expose “abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir,” which refers to the intersection of racism and misogyny directed at Black women.
In an interview, Chandauka described Harry’s resignation as “harassment and bullying at scale” and claimed he interfered with her whistleblower complaint, suggesting a cover-up involving the prince.
She also noted that donations dropped significantly after Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties in 2020. Sentebale, which supports youth affected by AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, is now shifting its focus to youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in southern Africa.
Chandauka criticized the negative impact of Harry’s brand on the charity’s reputation, citing an incident at a Miami polo fundraiser where his demands for a Netflix crew disrupted the event. Meghan’s unexpected appearance at the fundraiser also caused tension, leading to an awkward photo moment captured by the media.
Chandauka refused to issue a statement supporting Meghan, asserting that the charity should not act as an extension of the Sussexes. Harry and Meghan have not publicly responded to these allegations.
