Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has paused its defamation claim against the royal amid fears that legal costs could lead to its closure. The Duke of Sussex resigned as patron of Sentebale in March last year after a falling out with its chair, Sophie Chandauka. The charity lodged a defamation claim in the High Court against Harry over what trustees allege was an "adverse media campaign" that caused "reputational harm".
Case Halted Over Financial Fears
According to the Telegraph, the legal action has been halted because the charity could fold to cover legal bills should the case not succeed. Harry is reportedly prepared to take the case to trial to clear his name. If the Duke wins, Sentebale may be liable to pay Harry's legal costs as well as its own, on top of a potential payout.
Harry and the charity are understood to have agreed to more time to file the acknowledgement of service, which confirms receipt of a claim to the court and defence.
Charity's Background and Departures
Harry helped set up Sentebale in 2006 with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, in honour of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity helps young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Prince Seeiso and the board of trustees, including Captain Mark Dyer, also left the charity along with Harry.
Chandauka reported Harry and the trustees to the Charity Commission for alleged bullying and harassment. The Commission found no evidence of such, but it did say there was weak governance. It also criticised all sides for letting an internal row become public.
Financial Impact
Despite losing Harry and Prince Seeiso, Sentebale's latest accounts show the charity attracted £342,000 in donations in the last financial year, almost £50,000 more than it did in 2024-25. The amount of money bequeathed to the charity rose from £47,000 to £189,000. However, income from events dropped from £715,000 to £70,000 and cash from institutions decreased from £2.6 million to £1.7 million.
It has been suggested that the end of lucrative polo matches Harry played to raise money for Sentebale accounts for the drop in events income. Sentebale and the Duke of Sussex have been approached for comment.
