A charitable organisation established in Africa by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the British royal following his resignation as patron last year.
Background of the Organisation
The organisation, Sentebale, which focuses on assisting young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, initiated legal action at London’s High Court last month, according to court filings reviewed on Friday.
Details of the Lawsuit
Documents available online indicate that Harry and his close associate, Mark Dyer, who serves as a trustee of the charity, are facing claims of either libel or slander. However, detailed filings outlining the allegations have not been made public.
Escalation of Tensions
Tensions within the organisation reportedly escalated in 2023 over disagreements surrounding a new fundraising strategy. The dispute culminated in March 2025 when Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons, citing an irreparable breakdown in relations between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Response and Investigation
In response, Chandauka accused Harry of leading a campaign of bullying and harassment aimed at forcing her removal from the role.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales later launched an investigation into the dispute, criticising both parties for allowing the conflict to unfold publicly and damage the charity’s reputation. However, the regulator said it found no evidence of systemic bullying or misogyny within the organisation.
Conclusion and Aftermath
Commenting on the matter in August 2025, the commission’s Chief Executive, David Holdsworth, warned that the public nature of the dispute risked overshadowing the charity’s achievements and undermining its ability to serve its beneficiaries.
While a spokesperson for Harry criticised the findings of the report, Chandauka welcomed the conclusions.
