London: Prince Harry expressed hope on Thursday that Britain’s charity regulator would “unveil the truth” after it launched a compliance case into his charity, Sentebale, amid allegations from its chair accusing him of “bullying at scale”.
Harry, the younger son of King Charles, co-founded Sentebale in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The charity was established in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Last week, Harry and Prince Seeiso announced in a joint statement that they, along with the board of trustees, were stepping down from the organization following a dispute with board chair Sophie Chandauka. Chandauka responded by accusing Harry and the trustees of bullying, misogyny, and racism.
Britain’s Charity Commission has now opened a regulatory compliance case, which allows it to collect evidence, assess findings, and assist trustees in addressing any shortcomings. However, the move falls short of a formal statutory inquiry.
“The regulator’s focus, in line with its statutory remit, will be to determine whether the charity’s current and former trustees, including its chair, have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law,” the commission said in a statement.
Welcoming the investigation, Harry stated: “We (the former patrons and trustees) fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign. We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.”
Chandauka also supported the regulatory move, saying she hoped it would provide “comfort that Sentebale and its new Board of Trustees are acting appropriately to demonstrate and ensure good governance and a healthy culture.”
Also Read | Trump Slaps Tariffs on Australian Beef—Prices Set to Rise in U.S.
The controversy, which involves allegations of bullying, racism, and misogyny, presents another challenge for Harry, who has previously accused royal aides and British tabloids of similar behavior towards his wife, Meghan Markle. The dispute is especially significant given Sentebale’s deep personal connection to his late mother’s legacy. The name “Sentebale” means “forget-me-not” in the local language of Lesotho.
“What has transpired over the last week has been heartbreaking to witness…,” Harry remarked in his statement.
Harry, who relocated to California with Meghan and their two children after stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020, has long been involved in philanthropic efforts across Africa. He also visited Nigeria last year as part of his ongoing commitment to charitable initiatives on the continent.
