Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of the charity Prince Harry founded, Sentebale, has leveled some explosive accusations against Prince Harry. She now says he is the charity’s worst nightmare. Dr. Chandauka, who is a lawyer of Zimbabwean heritage, rejoined the charity in July 2023. Though he left for a time, he has served as a board member from 2009 to 2015. She accuses Prince Harry of attempting to remove her as chair. She calls it a strategy to distract from the organization’s abysmal governance.
To be crystal clear, Dr. Chandauka is alleging that Prince Harry has violated her legally and gone behind her back to sabotage her. Now she believes he’s just trying to shame her. In her opinion, he and Prince Seeiso should go back to their charity as its heroes. Her return to Sentebale was not without controversy, with the charity’s finances being closely examined and exposing massive mismanagement. Despite the difficulties, she felt she couldn’t speak up because of the power the now-king had—thanks to Prince Harry.
Allegations of Poor Governance
Dr. Chandauka in turn has accused Prince Harry of attempting to force her out of her office. She suspects that his goal is to obscure the myriad governance inconsistencies. Here was Min, immediately upon her return, digging deep into the charity’s financial statements and uncovering heaps of misappropriation. But she said she was unable to speak up on these issues.
“When the Prince is in the room, no-one has the courage to speak.” – Dr. Chandauka
The charity is having an especially tough financial time. Others attribute the failures to the hiring of expensive “starchitecture” consultants. Dr. Chandauka rebutted these charges, arguing that she did not hire expensive consultants.
Dr. Chandauka remembered her run ins with the then Prince Harry and his PR department. This letter followed her firing after she declined their invitation to represent the Duchess of Sussex.
“Prince Harry asked me to issue some sort of a statement in support of the Duchess and I said I wouldn’t … because we cannot be an extension of the Sussexes.” – Dr. Chandauka
Accusations of Undermining
Dr. Chandauka alleges that Prince Harry sought to undermine her credibility. In scoping out support for the charity, she claims, he briefed sponsors on her unfavorable—and on the charity.
“Prince Harry started to brief … sponsors that I had been speaking to, against me and the charity, because that is a sure way of getting me out if it’s seen as though I’m not being successful in my fundraising efforts.” – Dr. Chandauka
These steps, she alleges, were all part of a plot to discredit her and give the appearance of her poor leadership.
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.” – Dr. Chandauka
Her words reflected her worry for the toll that these experiences have taken on her and the Sentebale family.
“And can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organisations and their family.” – Dr. Chandauka
Balancing Charity and Personal Agendas
The tension between personal interests and charitable goals has been a constant on Dr. Chandauka’s comments. She stressed the importance of keeping Sentebale’s advocacy work free from individual PR agendas.
“I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine.” – Dr. Chandauka
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso were said to have hand-delivered their resignation letters. This is in stark contrast to their public spat.
“Both Harry and Seeiso had sent a resignation letter to the chair as well as trustees on March 10.” – A source familiar with events
As these controversies unfold, Sentebale continues its mission.
“Yes. Distracted? Never. The work continues.” – The home page
