Prince Harry Fires Back at Charity Report, Questions Chair’s Accountability
Kai Montgomery here with my eyes half rolled: I do not want to be the one to say it, but the Sentebale saga just got more pretentious. Prince Harry has finally broken his silence after the Charity Commission for England and Wales cleared Sentebale of any “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir” allegations. The drama unfolded publicly and now the duke is slamming the chair for letting it drag on in headlines instead of handling matters behind closed doors.
In a report published Tuesday, the Charity Commission noted that neither Prince Harry nor current chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka abused their power or oversaw any improper conduct at the Africa-based nonprofit. The Commission also found no evidence of overreach by Harry or Chandauka, but it did criticize both leaders for allowing internal disputes to spill into the public sphere, warning that poor governance practices could undermine trust in the entire charity sector.
Unsurprisingly, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex responded sharply. “Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale’s Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,” the statement read, as quoted by People Magazine. The rep doubled down on concerns for Sentebale’s beneficiaries, insisting that any fallout from the chair’s actions would be felt most by the children who rely on the charity’s support.
Those beneficiaries include young people living with or affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, the mission Harry and Prince Seeiso launched in 2006. The two royals stepped down as patrons in March after Chandauka accused them of harassment and bullying—claims the Commission has now dismissed. An insider told People that both princes are unlikely to return to Sentebale if Chandauka remains in charge, calling her leadership style a “hostile takeover.”
Dr. Chandauka, however, released her own pointed statement celebrating the Commission’s findings as validation of her concerns. She thanked investigators for confirming governance issues she had privately raised in February 2025 and praised board members who “stayed focused on the mission in the face of unprecedented media glare.” Chandauka also accused Harry’s camp of launching an “unexpected adverse media campaign” when they resigned in March, which she says showcased “unacceptable behaviors” behind the scenes.
The public dispute began when Sentebale’s trustees, save for Chandauka, resigned en masse following that viral April 2024 photo op controversy involving Meghan Markle. When asked to step down, Chandauka fought to keep her role, insisting that Sentebale must not become “an extension of the Sussex PR machine,” according to her account in People Magazine.
So here we are: a royal-backed charity cleared of any bullying or harassment, two co-founders sidelined, and a chair who claims victory while the duke warns about the children’s welfare. If you were hoping for a neat ending, think again. What’s next in this royal charity melodrama? Stay tuned.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine, Charity Commission for England and Wales
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
