The Sentebale Scandal: 5 Shocking Revelations From Prince Harry's Charity Boardroom Battle

The Sentebale charity, co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, has been thrust into the spotlight of a major controversy in 2024, revealing a shocking boardroom battle that culminated in the co-founders' resignation as patrons and a critical compliance investigation by the UK Charity Commission. This highly publicised dispute has raised serious questions about the governance and financial stability of the organisation, which works with vulnerable children and young people across southern Africa. The latest findings, including regulatory scrutiny and financial delays, paint a complex picture of internal conflict and operational challenges for the charity whose name, Sentebale, means 'forget-me-not' in Sesotho, founded in memory of their mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato. This deep dive explores the full timeline of the controversy, the key figures involved, and the lasting impact on the charity’s mission.

Profiles of Sentebale's Co-Founders: Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso

The Sentebale charity was established in 2006 by two princes who shared a common goal: to support children affected by poverty, inequality, and HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Their combined royal influence was the backbone of the organisation's global fundraising efforts.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

• Full Name: Prince Henry Charles Albert David
• Born: 15 September 1984, London, UK
• Role: Co-Founder of Sentebale (Patron until 2024)
• Key Activities: Military veteran, mental health advocate, environmental campaigner, and co-founder of Archewell.
• Background: Second son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. His visit to Lesotho during his gap year inspired the creation of Sentebale.

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho

• Full Name: Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso
• Born: 16 April 1966, Morija, Lesotho
• Role: Co-Founder of Sentebale (Patron until 2024) and Principal Chief of Matsieng
• Key Activities: Younger brother of King Letsie III of Lesotho and a prominent figure in the country’s royal and political life.
• Background: Second son of the late King Moshoeshoe II and Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. He met Prince Harry during the latter's visit to Lesotho.

The Boardroom Battle and Co-Founders' Shock Resignation

The heart of the Sentebale scandal lies in a bitter boardroom dispute that escalated rapidly and broke into public view in early 2024. This internal conflict pitted the co-founders against the charity's leadership, specifically the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

The disagreement centered on the charity's strategic direction, governance, and management practices. Reports indicated a fundamental breakdown in trust and communication between the founding figures and the board responsible for the charity's operational oversight.

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In a dramatic turn of events, both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso announced their immediate resignation as Patrons. Their joint statement expressed "shock" and profound disappointment, suggesting that the situation had become "unthinkable" but that they had a continued responsibility to Sentebale's beneficiaries.

The public war of words that followed highlighted the severity of the standoff. Prince Harry was openly critical of the charity's leadership, while the board defended its actions, asserting its commitment to good governance. This highly public spat ultimately triggered a formal compliance case by the UK's charity regulator.

The Charity Commission's Critical Verdict and Regulatory Action

Following the co-founders' resignation and the public fallout, the Charity Commission for England and Wales launched a full compliance case into Sentebale. The regulator's findings, released later in 2024, delivered a critical verdict on the entire affair.

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Three Major Findings from the Investigation:

1. Criticism of All Parties: The regulator criticised all those involved in the dispute—the co-founders and the board—for allowing the conflict to escalate and break into the public domain, which harmed the charity's reputation and its ability to operate.
2. Governance Shortfalls: The investigation found that the charity's governance structure and processes were insufficient to prevent the conflict from occurring and escalating to such a degree.
3. Regulatory Action Plan: The Commission issued a formal Regulatory Action Plan to Sentebale. This plan mandates specific steps the charity must take to improve its governance, resolve internal issues, and ensure future compliance.

Prince Harry, however, was not satisfied with the regulator's conclusion. He publicly accused the Charity Commission's investigation of falling "troublingly short" in its findings, suggesting a deeper issue remained unaddressed.

The Financial Fallout and Operational Instability

Beyond the governance crisis, the scandal revealed significant operational and financial instability within the small non-profit organisation, despite its nearly two decades of operation and two devoted royal patrons.

Key Financial and Operational Concerns:

• Delayed 2024 Accounts: Sentebale failed to file its 2024 financial accounts with Companies House on time, a serious breach of regulatory requirements that further fueled public concern about its financial health.
• Donor Withdrawals: Reports indicated a trend of donor withdrawals, with key supporters pulling their funding amidst the public dispute and instability.
• Staff Layoffs and Suspended Programs: The financial and governance crisis reportedly led to staff layoffs and the suspension of some key programs designed to help children and young people in southern Africa.

The combination of a public leadership crisis and verifiable financial setbacks has created a challenging environment for Sentebale to continue its vital work. The charity is now focused on implementing the Regulatory Action Plan and restoring faith among its remaining donors and the public.

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The Future of Sentebale and Prince Harry's Philanthropic Legacy

The Sentebale scandal marks a significant blow to Prince Harry's philanthropic efforts and raises key questions about the future of the charity. The organisation, which focuses on vulnerable children and adolescents struggling with mental health and the effects of HIV/AIDS, is now under intense pressure to demonstrate stability and transparency.

The fallout from the boardroom battle serves as a stark lesson in charity governance, particularly for organisations with high-profile founders. For Sentebale to survive and thrive, it must successfully navigate the terms of the Regulatory Action Plan, restore its financial footing, and rebuild the public trust that was severely damaged by the 2024 dispute. The charity's commitment to its beneficiaries in Lesotho and Botswana remains its ultimate priority, requiring a renewed focus on its core mission over internal conflicts.