...Resignation from Sentebale Raises Questions Amid Dispute Over Governance and Management Practices

In a startling turn of events, Prince Harry has been accused of "harassment and bullying at scale" by the chair of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Sophie Chandauka, the chair, levied these serious allegations after Harry announced his resignation from the charity this week, citing a "devastating" dispute.

Harry, younger son of King Charles, established Sentebale in 2006 in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. His departure, alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and the organization’s board of trustees, comes after an escalating conflict with Chandauka.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, set to air in full on Sunday, Chandauka detailed her concerns regarding Harry's sudden resignation, stating, “At some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorized the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors, or my executive director.” 

She elaborated on the profound impact of this incident, saying, "Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their family? That is an example of harassment and bullying at scale." 

Representatives for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have yet to comment on the allegations. Sources close to the charity’s trustees suggested that they anticipated this public fallout, viewing it as a calculated maneuver on Chandauka's part, while remaining resolute in their decision to resign from their positions.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Harry and Seeiso expressed their deep regret that the relationship with Chandauka had deteriorated beyond repair. Chandauka, who has previously criticized Sentebale for "poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir," has also been vocal about the need for the charity to evolve in the wake of social justice movements.

In a recent discussion with the Financial Times, Chandauka claimed she was approached by Harry's team to shield Meghan from negative press coverage—a request she ultimately declined. She emphasized the necessity for Sentebale to adapt its operational methods to better align with the post-Black Lives Matter landscape, highlighting a growing demand from funders for locally-led initiatives.

In response to the turmoil, Harry and Seeiso reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the charity's best interests, stating their decision to request Chandauka's resignation was made with careful consideration. Despite their intentions, Chandauka has initiated legal action against Sentebale to retain her leadership role.

As this story continues to unfold, the implications of the rift within Sentebale remain uncertain, leaving many to ponder the future of both the charity and Prince Harry's involvement in philanthropic endeavors.