Prince Harry has formally resigned as patron of Sentebale, the African-based youth charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago to honor the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The shocking announcement comes amid deep internal conflict within the organization, with Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho citing a complete breakdown in leadership dynamics.
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The Duke of Sussex, now 40, described himself as “devastated” and “in shock” over the decision, which follows ongoing tensions between the charity’s board of trustees and its current chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
The announcement marks a significant moment in the prince’s post-royal journey, as Sentebale was widely considered one of his most personal and impactful philanthropic ventures.
In a joint statement released with Prince Seeiso, Harry explained the reasoning behind the abrupt departure.
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same,” it read.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
Founded in 2006, Sentebale-meaning “Forget Me Not” in the Sesotho language-was created to assist children and young people affected by HIV, poverty, and inequality in Lesotho and Botswana. The name itself was a touching tribute to Princess Diana, whose favorite flower was the forget-me-not.
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The internal conflict that triggered Harry’s resignation appears to revolve around tensions over fundraising direction and governance issues. Though specific details remain largely undisclosed, insiders believe disagreements about focusing fundraising efforts within Africa contributed to the friction between the chair and the board.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable,” they added. “We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
Following Harry‘s departure, a cascade of resignations followed. Trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West collectively stepped down.