Prince Harry accuses Sophie Chandauka of ‘using Diana’s memory’ amid Sentebale fallout

In a scathing rebuke that echoes, Prince Harry has issued a new salvo in the fractious dispute over Sentebale, the charity he co‑founded two decades ago with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

The Duke of Sussex has accused the current chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, of invoking the memory of his late mother—Diana—in “the poorest possible taste,” as the charity is hit in a public and painful governance crisis.

The remarks come as the UK’s Charity Commission has exonerated both Harry and Dr Chandauka of systemic bullying, misogyny, or misconduct. Yet, the charity watchdog criticised the parties for allowing their internal fall‑out to play out on the public stage, warning that reputational damage now threatens the very beneficiaries Sentebale was founded to protect.

While relieved at being cleared, Prince Harry’s camp has voiced frustration over the Commission’s failure to assign any accountability to Dr Chandauka for the turmoil now eclipsing the charity’s mission. A spokesperson for Harry dismissed the report as disappointingly vague—stressing that it overlooks the real cost, borne by vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana.

The Duke remains “utterly devastated” by what he describes as a “hostile takeover” that has upended a project deeply tied to his late mother’s legacy, and which he co‑founded with heartfelt personal conviction. Reports indicate he has spent long hours on video calls from California—an emotional toll being felt across the globe.

Industry observers suggest that the dispute’s origin lies not merely in clashing personalities but in a shift in strategic direction. Dr Chandauka, who became chair in 2023, sought to modernize Sentebale’s fundraising focus towards the United States and diversify its revenue streams away from traditional, royal‑centric patronage. Her reforms were met with resistance, deepening the schism.

Matters escalated when Dr Chandauka accused Harry of orchestrating a “cover‑up” and using his brand to deflect criticism, further stoking tensions. The Charity Commission’s report found that public airing of these disputes undermined trust in charities more broadly.

At the heart of the controversy lies a deep‑seated emotional fracture. Sentebale was conceived in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales and named after the Sesotho phrase for “forget‑me‑not”—a pledge to honour both her legacy and vulnerable children in Southern Africa. Harry’s critics argue his relocation to the United States and shift towards commercial endeavours have distanced him from the initiative’s original spirit—and that his absence weakened the very cause he once championed.

Dr Chandauka has defended her leadership, insisting that her reforms are vital to the charity’s future. She characterises the legal and media manoeuvring against her as retaliatory—and insists she remains “more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact.”

Whatever the outcome, this dispute will stand as a sobering reminder of how fragile good intentions—and cherished legacies—can become when personal, public and institutional conflicts collide.