In brief
Prince Harry, alongside Prince Seeiso, has voiced relief over a Charity Commission inquiry into Sentebale following a significant governance dispute involving chair Sophie Chandauka and other trustees.
Following days of silence after being accused of bullying and harassment, Prince Harry expressed relief on Thursday regarding the Charity Commission's decision to investigate the ongoing turmoil at Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. This inquiry comes after tensions erupted last week when Harry and Seeiso announced their resignation as patrons in support of five trustees amid a contentious rift with the charity's chair, Sophie Chandauka.Chandauka has made serious allegations, including claims of sexism and harassment against Harry and the former trustees, which they have vehemently denied. In a joint statement, Harry and Seeiso welcomed the Charity Commission’s initiative, indicating their belief that the inquiry will uncover the circumstances prompting their resignation.The dispute has escalated into a highly publicized conflict, with Chandauka suggesting that she faced a targeted campaign following an awkward interaction with Meghan Markle at a charity polo event. Conversely, the former trustees have expressed diminishing trust in Chandauka’s leadership capabilities, prompting allegations of mismanagement.In response, the Charity Commission announced the launch of a compliance case aimed at assessing whether the charity's current and past trustees, including Chandauka, have met their legal responsibilities. The commission highlighted its intent to engage with individuals who raised concerns in order to gather evidence and evaluate compliance with charity regulations.Chandauka echoed the sentiments of the former patrons, stating her hope that the commission's inquiry would reassure stakeholders, including public supporters and donors, about Sentebale’s commitment to good governance with its new board of trustees.
