CHARITY organisation, Sentebale, has launched legal proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales against one of its co-founders, Prince Harry, in a dramatic escalation of an internal governance and reputational crisis that has engulfed the charity and drawn global attention.
The charity, co-founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, is seeking court intervention, protection, and restitution following what it describes as a sustained adverse media campaign that has disrupted operations, damaged reputations, and strained strategic partnerships.
The move comes against the backdrop of deepening leadership tensions involving the organisation’s chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, and wider board disputes that culminated earlier in 2025 in the resignation of both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from their patron roles. The resignations followed a public breakdown in relations within the organisation, raising questions about governance, leadership accountability, and internal decision-making processes.
According to Sentebale, the legal proceedings are directed at Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, whom the charity identifies—based on what it describes as internal evidence—as being linked to the origins of a recent adverse media campaign.
Sentebale, which supports vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, focuses on health, wealth creation, and climate resilience. Its programmes include HIV prevention, psychosocial support, vocational training, and specialised camp-based interventions delivered through the ‘Mamohato Children’s Centre in Thaba Bosiu, Maseru.
In a statement issued by its Board of Trustees and Executive Director, Sentebale said it had launched legal action against Prince Harry and his close associate Mark Dyer, a former trustee of the charity, over what it described as allegedly defamatory claims and reputational harm arising from the dispute.
“Sentebale has commenced legal proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales. The charity seeks the court’s intervention, protection, and restitution following a coordinated adverse media campaign conducted since 25 March 2025 that has caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the charity, its leadership, and its strategic partners.
“The proceedings have been brought against Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, identified through evidence as the architects of that adverse media campaign, which has had significant viral impact and triggered an onslaught of cyber-bullying directed at the charity and its leadership.”
Sentebale says it has been affected by what it describes as false narratives circulated in the media and sustained reputational pressure.
“Sentebale has experienced the adverse media campaign as false narratives circulated through the media about the charity and its leadership, attempts to undermine its relationships with staff, existing and prospective partners, and the forced diversion of leadership time and resources into managing a reputational crisis not of the charity’s making.”
Despite the dispute, the charity says its funding base has remained stable.
“Sentebale’s development sector funders have maintained 100% of their financial commitment throughout this period, and the charity has been deeply moved by the continued generosity of individual donors who have stood firm alongside them…”
The organisation added that continued donor confidence reflects “a shared conviction that good governance is fundamental to the integrity of any charitable organisation.”
The legal action follows months of internal turbulence at Sentebale, which escalated publicly after disagreements emerged between trustees and senior leadership over governance and organisational direction.
The dispute culminated in the resignation of both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from their patron roles earlier in 2025, marking a significant rupture within the leadership of the organisation they co-founded to support vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana.
The row has also drawn attention due to the involvement of senior figures including Sophie Chandauka, whose leadership has been central to recent governance changes and internal restructuring efforts.
Sentebale maintains that its core mission remains unchanged despite the legal proceedings.
“At a time when international aid is contracting and the needs of children across Southern Africa are growing, the work Sentebale delivers for 78,000 young lives is increasingly critical…”
The statement also emphasised that external funding is covering legal costs, and that no charitable funds are being used.
“The Board and Executive Director trust that those who believe in Sentebale’s mission will understand why this legal action, whilst difficult, was necessary and important, and will continue to stand with us as we focus on the work ahead.”
Sentebale confirmed it will not comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing, reiterating that its “focus remains where it has always been: the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana.”