Watchdog ‘assessing concerns’ over Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale after duke quits as patron | EUROtoday

The Charity Commission is “assessing concerns” raised over a charity arrange by Prince Harry, after the royal give up his position as its patron.

A bitter row has erupted on the coronary heart of the charity Sentebale, which the Duke of Sussex based in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to assist youngsters in southern Africa, notably these residing with HIV and Aids.

The duke and Prince Seeiso had been amongst a number of trustees to give up the organisation in current days, following a boardroom battle during which they requested the resignation of the charity’s chair Dr Sophie Chandauka.

The two princes mentioned they’d resigned “in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same”, including: “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.”

Dr Chandauka – who was appointed chair final 12 months, in a transfer which the trustees had been reportedly sad with – has retaliated by suing the charity in a bid to retain her place, the 2 princes mentioned in a joint assertion.

In response, the embattled chair appeared to accuse Prince Harry of taking part in “the victim card” and utilizing “the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct”.

Dr Chandauka alleged that she had “dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the cover-up that ensued”.

The Charity Commission has now informed The Independent it’s “assessing concerns about the governance of Sentebale”.

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The Times cited a supply near the matter as saying that the watchdog’s work – described by a Commission spokesperson as “assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps” – amounted to a fact-finding mission to see “how the commission might help the charity with its problems”.

Dr Chandauka was the primary occasion to boost issues with the watchdog about Sentebale, a supply on the Commission reportedly confirmed to the newspaper, which mentioned that the 2 princes and different trustees may even submit proof.

Asked concerning the claims, the Commission mentioned it was unable to substantiate which events have raised issues.

A spokesperson mentioned: “We have already made clear that we are assessing concerns about the governance of Sentebale, and naturally that involves seeking information from a range of parties involved.”

Harry’s position at Sentebale was one in every of a small variety of personal patronages he retained after he was stripped of his royal patronages and honorary navy positions by the late Queen in 2021, following his departure from the working monarchy.

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Harry spent two months in Lesotho throughout his hole 12 months when he was 19 in 2004, which impressed him to determine the charity two years later, which now additionally works in Botswana. He visited Lesotho and Prince Seeiso final October, the place he talked to a gaggle of younger individuals concerning the “massive difference” Sentebale was making.

In a earlier assertion, Sentebale mentioned it had not obtained resignations from both of the royal patrons and mentioned the “recalibration of the board is part of Sentebale’s ambitious transformation agenda”.

A spokesperson beforehand mentioned: “We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year.

“In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/Aids on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa.”