Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to support youths with HIV in southern Africa, has sued Prince Harry and a charity trustee for defamation. The lawsuit, filed last month in London’s High Court, alleges libel or slander stemming from a series of disputes that emerged after Harry stepped down as a patron in March 2025.
The charity’s public statement described the lawsuit as a response to a “coordinated adverse media campaign” since March 25, 2025, which it claims disrupted operations and caused reputational damage to Sentebale, its leadership, and strategic partners. Online court filings name Harry and Mark Dyer, a trustee at Sentebale, as defendants. Harry’s representatives have strongly denied the allegations, calling them “offensive and damaging.”
Sentebale, whose name means “forget-me-not” in the Lesotho language, was established to meet critical needs of HIV-affected youth. The charity encountered significant internal conflicts starting in 2023 over a proposed new fundraising strategy. These disagreements culminated in March 2025 when Harry and Seeiso resigned as patrons, stating the relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, had become irreparable.
The resignations followed the public departure of five trustees amid an internal dispute that spilled into the media. Harry and Seeiso expressed shock at the necessity of their resignations but emphasized their duty to protect the charity’s beneficiaries. After the patrons stepped down, Chandauka accused Harry of bullying and harassment intended to oust her and alleged interference with a whistleblower complaint she filed against Sentebale.
In response, the Charity Commission for England and Wales investigated the issues and criticized all parties for handling the dispute publicly, which damaged the charity’s reputation. However, the commission found no evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny within the organization. CEO David Holdsworth warned that the charity’s internal conflict risked overshadowing its achievements and harming its ability to serve beneficiaries.
A spokesman for Harry has previously criticized the Charity Commission’s findings, whereas Chandauka welcomed the report. As of April 10, 2026, no comment has been received from the Duke of Sussex’s office regarding the defamation lawsuit.
Why it matters
Sentebale has played a vital role in supporting vulnerable youth affected by HIV in southern Africa for nearly two decades. The legal dispute involving one of its high-profile founders threatens the charity’s operations, reputation, and fundraising efforts amid ongoing efforts to deliver essential services in the region.
Background
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso created Sentebale in 2006 to honor the late Princess Diana’s legacy and address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Lesotho and neighboring countries. Over the years, the charity gained international recognition but faced governance challenges recently, culminating in patron resignations and public disputes. The Charity Commission investigation reflected the high-profile nature of the conflict and its impact on a charity that relies heavily on its public reputation to fulfill its mission.
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